Furthermore, many of us have spam filters set to treat messages with no
subject as spam.
I've just looked in my spambox (I don't go there very often) and found the
messages in question.
So, if you want to be read.... 


Malcolm Jones

St. Richard's Vicarage
Hailsham Road
Heathfield
East Sussex
TN21 8AF
 
tel: 01435 862744
mobile: 07799265097
[log in to unmask]
www.peri.co.uk


-----Original Message-----
From: Library and Information Professionals
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Robin Phillips
Sent: 25 January 2013 11:06
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Messages with [no subject]

Dear colleagues,

In message <[log in to unmask]
s.sunderland.local>
          Karen Newton <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> Fifty Shades had more non users coming into my library than before 
> purely to ask about it - and it was brilliant that they took it for 
> granted that the library would have copies and staff wouldn't bat an 
> eyelid at the request

> Karen

Is it too much to ask that people give SOME indication in the Subject line
so that recipients can see what the message is ABOUT?  Does your software
not provide this facility?  Are we to be deprived even of the pleasure of
DELETING IT UNREAD?

Do not take me TOO seriously, but Subject lines do help!

Best wishes,  Robin.

> Karen Newton
> Manager
> Health, Housing and Adult Services
> Sunderland City Council
> 0191 561 3495
> www.Sunderland.gov.uk



> -----Original Message-----
> From: Library and Information Professionals 
> [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Parker, Amanda
> Sent: 24 January 2013 17:07
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject:

> Mobeena you are a hero! Whole heartedly agree with you : )

> Sent from my iPhone

> On 24 Jan 2013, at 16:34, "Mobeena Khan"
> <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]
> OV
> .UK>> wrote:


> It's not really about accepting a viewpoint that isn't traditional - a 
> lot of public librarians aren't doing the roles that they started out 
> or intended doing.  A lot of us don't have library degrees - we've 
> gained experience on the job and worked towards qualifications.  We're 
> taught how to make judgements as to what material is suitable and 
> where suitable material can be found.  It's not just a case of typing 
> something into Google and hoping we strike it lucky.



> It shouldn't be about comparing librarians to surgeons or lawyers - 
> no, we may not be performing open heart surgery, but finding out 
> information for someone on forced marriages might just have a bearing on
their life.
> As does helping people connect with families or relations through 
> social media or doing administrative things like showing someone where 
> or how to apply for a disabled parking badge.  Yes, libraries need to 
> change and modernise, of course they do.  But trained library staff 
> should be a part of that change and modernisation.  How on earth are 
> volunteers held accountable for things like confidentiality or data
protection?



> I don't agree with your assertion that people don't spend time with 
> public library staff.  I've watched whole families develop and seen 
> children who I spoke to for the Summer Reading Challenge go off to 
> university.  I know other staff members who have developed 
> relationships with "regulars"; whose children have informed us of 
> their deaths and how important a part of their lives we were. For some 
> people, we're the only positive contact they get throughout the day.



> You speak of "Fifty Shades of Grey" as if it's the only type of 
> fiction that public libraries offer - it isn't.  And offering Fifty 
> Shades of Grey is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of as it is what 
> members of the public wish to read.  Public libraries aren't in the 
> business of disparaging people's book choices.  Our ethos is to serve 
> all members of our community and that is what we strive to do.



> I think this comment really killed it for me -



>  "But all I've read so far indicates a collection of very nice 
> professionally qualified people, who can be a teensy bit precious!"



> We're not being precious.  We're fighting for our livelihoods and for 
> a set of core beliefs that many of us hold very dear.  It's a shame 
> that other people in our profession are clinging on to this outmoded 
> view of public libraries and what they offer.


> Mobeena Khan
> Stock & Reader Development Librarian, West Area, Libraries, Culture 
> and Learning Watford Central Library, Hempstead Road, Watford, Herts, 
> WD17 3EU
> t: 01923 334680 Comnet / Internal: 29480 Mobile: 07584 521706 Working 
> hours - Wednesday, 1pm-5pm, Thursdays and Fridays, 9am-5pm 
> hertsdirect<http://www.hertsdirect.org/> / twitter 
> <http://twitter.com/hertscc> / facebook 
> <http://www.facebook.com/Hertsdirect>
> Hertfordshire - County of Opportunity


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--
Robin Phillips,
NG9 1BT