I expend a lot of hot air trashing the Bee’s comment feature, but today I have to eat my words. (It appears I must also attend mixed metaphor college.) From today’s Bee story about two library branches no longer accepting cash after the branches have experienced thefts.

Commenter “kevinakin1950″ smartly questions the legality of refusing to accept American currency, and goes on to point out that a no-cash policy would discriminate against the poor, who presumably don’t have credit cards. (Let’s not get started on all the people out there who are poor because of their credit cards…)

Continue reading “Library cash story brings out good comments on SacBee” »

All this talk of the liberry reminded me of a cool tool that I found on the Sac Public Library’s blog. It is a “Find it at the SPL” bookmarklet (those little “unsafe” bookmark links that run JavaScript in your browser, like “Translate this website into Shizzle-ese” or whathaveyou.) If you’re on a web page, any web page, that lists an ISBN number, this bookmarklet will search the SPL’s catalog for that book. It’s amazing to me that such a task could be so easy, for a site that is as impossible to use as the SPL’s.

Best results for the bookmarklet are found in Microsoft’s Internet Explorer browser, version 6. YMMV.

The Sac library system wants to put butts in the seats by allowing butts on their computer screens:

Sacramento, Apr 29, 2008 / 09:23 pm (CNA).- The Sacramento Library Authority Board voted last Thursday to retain its policy of minimal interference with patrons who access pornography on library computers, News10 Sacramento reports. Board members also voted to spend $21,000 for more computer monitors with recessed screens to allow more private viewing.

Recessed screens? How about just set up a whole private booth complete with neon lights?

Board member Robbie Waters explained his support for $21,000 for more private computer screens, saying he wanted people to be able to exercise their right to be able to view whatever they would like. “It allows the screen to come right up at you and nobody can look over your shoulders,” Waters said.

This might be one of the most ridiculous decisions made by a public library that I’ve ever seen. Is perversion not pervasive enough, that now parents can’t take their kids to Sacramento’s libraries unsupervised?

And, just one request to you commenters. Please refrain from commenting on the “exercise their right” or “allows the scene to come right up at you”. It’s a little too obvious, even for the Sac Rag.

If you’re like me, then you’re probably closely following the library maintenance contract scandal, which concerns a contract between the Sac Library and Hagginwood Services Inc to provide buildings maintenance. The library is now investigating $1.3 million in fees paid to Hagginwood after the Bee filed a request to examine the money trail. At the heart of the investigation is several instances of possible overcharging, including “$410 to unplug a toilet, $411 to fix a leaking water fountain and $2,423 for repairing lights in one room” (personally, $410 to unplug a commercial toilet doesn’t sound like a stretch).

Well, if you’re still with me you should read on, because this thing goes much further down the proverbial rabbit hole… Continue reading “Library maintenance scandal goes deep” »

Speaking of our city’s habit of combining old and new web technologies, the Sacramento Public Library today unveiled its Digital Download Catalog. You can now download e-books and audiobooks if you have a library card. Note, however, that the audiobook files are not compatible with Macs or with the popular iPod device–PC or Mac (take that, guy from “Ed”).

If you’re an IT nerd like me (or you’re thinking of getting caught up in the Web 2.0 revolution) our own Sacramento Public Library has a great tool for you: a subscription to Safari, the technical book publishing online service. If you’ve got a library card (even one that currently has fines!) you can access full text tech books through the Web. Just bookmark this link and fill in your info. Then curl up with some hot ginger tea, an eye-friendly monitor, and an e-book on TCP/IP.

I know, I know, very punny. But now that I have your attention I wanted to remind you of the many wonderful resources available to you at any of the 27 branches of the Sacramento Public Library system. Who knew, right? I’m sure most of you, but with the advent of the home computer and more importantly the Internet, public libraries have sort of drifted off my radar. Well, Mrs. T has been spending a lot of time there lately and really turned me on to the many free features the library has to offer.

I’ve mostly been to the Arden-Arcade branch. If you haven’t been, you’d be surprised by the number of computers they offer with free internet access or the wide selection of CD’s and DVD’s you can check out. Each time I’ve visited the vibe has been rather mellow in spite of the large numbers of people there. Plus, right now you have unique opportunity to see a Princess Diana collection. I only say that last part with my tongue partially in my cheek.

Continue reading “Sacramento Public Libraries…”Check” Them Out” »