Library in Dekalb County unable to open for business (Chamblee: neighborhood, salaries)

[AcidSnake]

CrossRoadsNews - New libraries collect dust waiting for funding

Check this article out in my local neighborhood newspaper. I am pretty saddened that the one public entity that is sorely needed for Georgia residents in this economic downturn is the place that gets the least resources.

[arjay57]

That's unfortunate. What's the solution? Higher taxes on the county as a whole? Local people pitching in? Streamlining the county's budget elsewhere? That's a pretty affluent area, isn't it?

[SW30303]

Yea, this is a downer for people in DeKalb, all that money spent and the goal was not obtained yet. Very frustrating indeed.

[AcidSnake]

I would like to see the full-time library staff spread out and buttressed with unpaid retired senior citizen volunteers (maybe retired librarians?) and/or student librarian interns. I don't think that the DeKalb County Commissioners and CEO Ellis are being as imaginative as they can be in finding ways to properly staff the library system.

Maybe some private funding-raising & naming rights should be entertained here as well.

Originally Posted by arjay57

That's unfortunate. What's the solution? Higher taxes on the county as a whole? Local people pitching in? Streamlining the county's budget elsewhere? That's a pretty affluent area, isn't it?

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by AcidSnake

I would like to see the full-time library staff spread out and buttressed with unpaid retired senior citizen volunteers (maybe retired librarians?) and/or student librarian interns. I don't think that the DeKalb County Commissioners and CEO Ellis are being as imaginative as they can be in finding ways to properly staff the library system.

Maybe some private funding-raising & naming rights should be entertained here as well.

Those sound like great ideas, AcidSnake. I love getting the senior citizens involved. A lot of them would probably be delighted to do this gratis, and there might even be a way to find some in kind trade-offs that would help them out without imposing substantial burdens on the county. For example, the utility companies, MARTA or local merchants might be willing to provide some discounts to library volunteers.

[RandyWatson13]

That is a good suggestion. Has anyone seen those librarian salaries, they get paid pretty well!

[arjay57]

I think people are typically much more willing to pitch in when they can participate and see some direct results.

[TakeAhike]

I don't know about a 'Volunteer' staff--it might be possible to screen carefully and find the right people.

Of one thing I am certain--there are patrons within the DeKalb Public Library System that damage materials and others simply keep books, cds and dvds. I'm not certain what could be done about this. Several staff salaries might be funded if patrons were more concerned, jmo.

DPLS could sell the property that once housed the Briarcliff Branch. It was convenient but understandably needed to close. Compared to the scenario described in this article it is 'no big deal'--but those in the area served, on a somewhat limited basis, by the Briarcliff Branch-- can either go to Chamblee or Avis Williams/Toco Hill--except that because of the traffic it isn't that easy. I frankly don't use the library much anymore--too much of a hassle to get there.