So yesterday I did a blog post on the facebook protest group a friend and I have started, about the changes proposed for our university's library. Since then, I have exchanged emails with the Vice Chancellor and today I got a call from a reporter who wanted me to forward her these emails (which I didn't do, but since with his permission I had pasted his comments onto the group wall she'll be able to get all the info). The group has got 333 members so far, that's in the space of 72 hours - not exactly setting a facebook record but sizeable enough.
I would not be a good revolutionary because I'm starting to bite my nails, wondering if it was the right thing to do - I've never thought the change proposal as a whole should be thrown out, only that parts of it are worrying and need to be explained more. I have to admit some of the stuff the VC says is not completely stupid, and when I got the call from the reporter - implying that our goal in setting up the group is being fulfilled, and more publicity will attend these changes - I started freaking out that she is going to completely exaggerate everything I said, because I DON'T TRUST THE MEDIA.
Basically, I'm not a good people's-uprising-leader.
So I'm listening to soothing rain sounds (they're remarkably wonderful; I feel like I'm in the mountains, staying in a log cabin in the forest), and the breadmaker is churning away making me some fresh bread.
Showing posts with label the revolution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the revolution. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
heart a librarian today
I've done something new for me - started a facebook protest group. It's called "Heart UC Library" and is really quite a polite protest, but nevertheless a protest. Unfortunately, when we set up the group, we couldn't find "People's Rebellion" under the group types available.
I am embarrassed to say that our university, the University of Canterbury, in Christchurch, New Zealand, has proposed to "disestablish" the jobs held by 35 of our most qualified librarians, including interloans staff (without whom it would be impossible to do research), only replacing them with unqualified staff, and to "move away" from printed books into e-books alone. At least, that's what it sounds like. It's hard to tell because the university bureaucracy is trying to keep this very quiet, and hasn't released the details publicly.
It really is frightening that a university is attacking its own library in this way, the very heart of any university.
And if you are a student at my university, at any other NZ university, or from anywhere but just indignant at these proposals, please join our group. There is going to be a meeting on Monday with the Vice Chancellor to discuss how much more to make public, and he needs to know that we care about our library and will not let it just disappear from under our nose without batting an eyelid.
I am embarrassed to say that our university, the University of Canterbury, in Christchurch, New Zealand, has proposed to "disestablish" the jobs held by 35 of our most qualified librarians, including interloans staff (without whom it would be impossible to do research), only replacing them with unqualified staff, and to "move away" from printed books into e-books alone. At least, that's what it sounds like. It's hard to tell because the university bureaucracy is trying to keep this very quiet, and hasn't released the details publicly.
It really is frightening that a university is attacking its own library in this way, the very heart of any university.
And if you are a student at my university, at any other NZ university, or from anywhere but just indignant at these proposals, please join our group. There is going to be a meeting on Monday with the Vice Chancellor to discuss how much more to make public, and he needs to know that we care about our library and will not let it just disappear from under our nose without batting an eyelid.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)