Posts by Cari

Dr. Seuss Enterprises decided to pull six of Dr. Seuss’s books from publication because they feel these books are harmful. This was a business decision by a private company, but it opens the door to discuss and critique libraries as many libraries grapple with what to do with these six titles (we’re keeping ours for now). 

Fobazi Ettarh, a school librarian and library researcher, developed and defined the concept of “vocational awe” in librarianship. Her first article on vocational awe – the feeling that libraries are “inherently good, sacred notions, and therefore beyond critique” – was written in 2018. In it, she argues that vocational awe contributes to library worker burnout and some of the problems our profession still faces. 

For the most part, Ettarh is right. I know I am guilty of placing libraries and library work on a pedestal. The truth is, libraries can be oases of freedom and democracy and information, but they are not without serious flaws and a checkered past that should be examined and openly discussed. 

One of the most famous librarians, Melville Dewey, was a womanizer and a racist even by the standards of his time (late 1800s). The Dewey Decimal System, which is used by a vast majority of public libraries, has echoes of his beliefs to this day. 

Libraries were not always a source of equality in our communities. In fact, a majority of public libraries were actively segregated before the Civil Rights Act. Today, most librarians (especially those with a masters in library science) are white women, which limits our experience and perspective. 

The good news is, learning our history and letting go of vocational awe allows us to grow and do a better job of serving all members of our community. We certainly aren’t going to get it right all the time, but we’ll keep trying!

We’re wading into the budgeting waters here at the Library (and at the City as a whole). June 30th, the end of our fiscal year, will be here sooner than I’d like. I don’t anticipate much to change with the library’s budget next year, which is nice. It’s also nice to be in a city with such a well-funded library and community members who value their library so much. Thank you!

Part of my “thank you” is because your behavior and shopping choices are directly responsible for the funding of the libraries (and police departments, fire departments, parks departments, etc.) in your town. That isn’t a common way to pay for libraries in the US. After I entered the Library World, I knew Oklahoma’s funding is different, but it wasn’t until I moved home that I realized how unique Oklahoma’s funding structure is for libraries.

Generally speaking, the 214 public library buildings in Oklahoma fall into two categories – municipal/city libraries and library systems. A library system is a group of library buildings in either a single county or several adjoining counties that are all governed by a single Library Board. Oklahoma has eight library systems, which account for 102 of our public library buildings (8 central libraries and 94 branches). Municipal libraries make up the other 112 libraries. Library Systems are funded through property taxes, which is how the majority of libraries in the US are funded.

Municipal libraries, like your Pryor Library and the other public libraries in Mayes County, are funded as part of the City’s budget. Cities in Oklahoma are funded by sales tax, so municipal libraries in Oklahoma are funded through sales tax. Sales tax revenue can fluctuate dramatically depending on the economy, so libraries have to plan carefully. Again, thank you for shopping local.

We have a new online program from our awesome Youth Services Department! In addition to storytime on Wednesday mornings through our Facebook page, you can now find “First Chapter Friday” videos for older kids! Every week, Autumn, our Youth Services Librarian or her staff choose a chapter book from our Youth Services Department and read the first chapter. It’s a fun, easy way to discover new books to read.

Speaking of books from our Youth Services Department, somewhere in my house is a copy of “Junie B. Jones” that belongs to the library. It is very seriously overdue. I’m pretty sure it’s in my kids’ room, but between toys, the ruins of both study forts and sadness forts, plus the general “we’ve been home for SO LONG” mayhem, I have no idea where to start looking. My kids swear they can’t find it, so it’s either gone forever or I’ll find it in the first three minutes when I finally get serious about looking.

Luckily, the library staff won’t judge me if/when I admit defeat and pay for its replacement. The lack of judgement isn’t just a perk of working at the library. Between our 13 staff members, we’ve damaged and/or lost our fair share of library materials. Not all of us have a material misadventure story to tell, but most of us have at least one. Those of us with kids and pets have plenty enough to go around!

If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, have no fear and certainly no shame. Just let us know what happened and we’ll work together to make it right. In all honesty, we’d rather have our materials back in usable condition than take your money. We understand that when you borrow library materials they become part of your Life while you have them. Sometimes Life will happen all over those library materials. Let us know and we’ll figure it out together.