To the editor,
I relocated to the deepest, darkest Nanaimo here earlier this year and immediately availed myself of the services of the three local public library branches.
Because I’m low-tech without a personal computer, I’ve often relied on having reference questions answered by their various staff – but the pushback one gets from all branches is unnerving.
One day in September I called the Nanaimo North branch and told the person who answered that I required a local telephone number. ‘And you called the library for that?’ came the response. On another occasion, I called the Wellington branch with an equally plain request but they refused to even answer my enquiry, referring me to another branch. Most recently I called the Harbourfront branch during business hours and got their voicemail box, but after waiting over 24 hours for a response, called back the next day only to be cut off by the person who answered, telling me he had to go lock up the bathrooms. My question went unanswered. Almost a month ago I called the Qualicum Beach branch and left messages with their branch manager seeking directions to the library – still waiting for her response.
What does one make of all this? One infers the library system is a writhing morass of politics and has lost sight of its very raison d’être: libraries by definition are purveyors of information, regardless of medium. Property taxes derived from my place of residence create the machine that hires the staff who are intended to answer my questions.
I’ve actually more to say on this matter – but I’ve got to go lock up the bathroom.
Réal Saint Laurent, Nanaimo
The views and opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the writer and do not reflect the views of Black Press Media or the Nanaimo News Bulletin.
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