Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site mit-eddie.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!ihnp4!mit-eddie!dws From: dws@mit-eddie.UUCP (Don Saklad) Newsgroups: net.flame Subject: libraries Message-ID: <3616@mit-eddie.UUCP> Date: Tue, 12-Feb-85 02:16:48 EST Article-I.D.: mit-eddi.3616 Posted: Tue Feb 12 02:16:48 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 13-Feb-85 02:51:37 EST Distribution: net.flame Organization: MIT, Cambridge, MA Lines: 28 Freedom and equality of access were denied visitors and users asking how Boston Public Library system works. Persistent repeated inquiries and requests for documentation were delayed and denied. Public records rules ignored. Open meetings of the library board held so as to intimidate observers, make it too hard to communicate with trustees. General reference should show manuals and administrative documents of library development should be better maintained. Archives of Boston Public Library system documentation should include not only the ancient history of the establishment of the institution, but the recent and development policies current. Information specialists should be aware of public records rules when they call inhouse manuals and notices into question since they're public. Supervision and training is poor so that even savy people who work there all the time would find conflicting and troublesome this lapse, among the great stuff and services, for freedom and equality of access. Accountability and communication should move officials to provide access. Publicity is 30 to 40 years behind the times. Publicity should be upbeat on some wavelength same as the people in the communities of the metropolitan area. Humiliation and reprisals are perceived instead of respect and dignity for visitors and users who'd like a chance to know the library system as well as anyone tenured there.