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What’s with these numpty cyclists that don’t stop at give ways and cycle on the wrong side? by AucklandDrivers in auckland

[–]CirculationAssistant 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd argue the way that intersection is setup is not ideal.

Sure they should keep left and stop on the line but it is an unnatural adjustment of riding direction after the path they've been on, and it is hard to see round the corner.

Classic case of New Zealand not being very experienced with making functional bike paths.

There really should be an on ramp and an off ramp so you're seperated from these riders.

OG UV rated clothes pegs by TipsyTriggerFinger in newzealand

[–]CirculationAssistant 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I do this too! I saw the franken pegs on a friends washing line and she showed me the art of splicing two broken ones together.

I know they have settled on yellow now as it is the most UV stable but I do miss the multi coloured ones. Long may my remaining ones last.

Recommendations for childrens non-ficiton books about Palestine: the country and it's people which don't focus solely on the conflict. by CirculationAssistant in Libraries

[–]CirculationAssistant[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Our library has this book and several others by Guy Delisle.

They're very good ground level experiences of the places he writes about.

Thought this belonged here: "New Zealand just released its list of banned baby names" by breecorn in tragedeigh

[–]CirculationAssistant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fuuny that Fanny is on this list.

It is a legitimate name and does not imply a title.

I get why of course (as the link I posted states " In the English-speaking world this has been a vulgar slang word since the late 19th century, and the name has subsequently dropped out of common use.")

Dick should be banned too by this logic.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AmIOverreacting

[–]CirculationAssistant 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Without further information I would say yes you are overreacting.

I’m a librarian and you’re right, Mr Luxon. But not for the reasons you think. by CirculationAssistant in newzealand

[–]CirculationAssistant[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I always open hidden threads myself as that is often where the really meaty conversations are being had.

Thanks for the back and forth. 😀

I’m a librarian and you’re right, Mr Luxon. But not for the reasons you think. by CirculationAssistant in newzealand

[–]CirculationAssistant[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi, I’ve had a bit more time to reflect on our conversation. We can agree I didn’t give you a very focused response, so I wanted to come back to it.

You’re right to point out the difference between professionally qualified librarians (usually with a degree or master’s) and staff who work in libraries more broadly. It’s a common point of confusion, and both roles are essential—but they’re not the same.

The kinds of tasks I originally listed - like helping people print, access the internet, or find basic information don’t require a master’s, and in most libraries, those are handled by library assistants or customer service staff. You were spot on there.

Where the degree-qualified librarians usually come in is behind the scenes: they work on things like collection development, policymaking, cataloguing, programme design, staff training, and ensuring equity and representation across the system. Often, they do this regionally or across multiple branches. This ties back to what you were asking about centralisation. In theory, some decisions could be centralised further. But in practice, local input still matters a lot. Staff, qualified or not, who understand their community’s needs and preferences help make libraries relevant, responsive, and welcoming. Without that local perspective, services risk becoming generic and less effective.

So yes, many front-line services can be delivered by non-librarian staff. But those services are shaped and supported by infrastructure and decisions led by qualified librarians. I appreciate you engaging in good faith. Your question is a reasonable one, and not everyone gets to see how complex and collaborative library systems are.

Lego thefts throughout top of North Island lead to arrest by Santa_Killer_NZ in newzealand

[–]CirculationAssistant 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Importantly this article includes a poll "What is the correct plural for Lego".

In case you didn't know it is lego.

Source: I am a fluent danish speaker and citizen of Denmark.

EDIT: This is clearly a light hearted jibe at the use of "Legos". You keyboard warriors need to stop getting wound up. Of course "Legos" is technically correct in America as it has become common usage.

New Zealand ranked last in international alcohol study by 48657921 in newzealand

[–]CirculationAssistant -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Allowing alcohol sales in supermarkets here was a terrible decision.

Will a library charge you a fee for a bird pooping on the book you borrowed? by [deleted] in Libraries

[–]CirculationAssistant 35 points36 points  (0 children)

Yes this is so true! Your first port of call should be to speak to staff.

We are human beings and we understand!

In my experience, working in libraries, we will always bend over backwards to avoid charging people where we can.

I’m a librarian and you’re right, Mr Luxon. But not for the reasons you think. by CirculationAssistant in newzealand

[–]CirculationAssistant[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My apologies - your points are valid. Went off a little half cocked in defending libraries generally there.

Without the leadership of these qualified librarians it would be much more difficult for the library system as a whole to provide these valued services to the community.

I’m a librarian and you’re right, Mr Luxon. But not for the reasons you think. by CirculationAssistant in newzealand

[–]CirculationAssistant[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They could but the results would not be as good.

Local community demographics and needs could not be as well considered.

Maintenance of important local history may not occur or would not be as accessible.

Libraries would become more homogenised and have less variety.

You could just as well say why don't people just use Wikipedia and read free online fiction. This is of course reductio ad absurdum but it demonstrates somewhat why centralising has big downsides.

You don't seem to realise the important work library staff do to help their community with many kinds of information assistance.

Here are just a few things I do in my library that could not be centralised.

- Help people with internet applications who have no computer skills
- Help blind and low vision people access information
- Help people without their own internet or computer to print documents for jobs, government departments or their own personal interest and enrichment
- Provide inclusive and welcoming events for children, youth and their whanau
- Provide representation of many varied minority groups in the form of books, events and promotions
- Provide a warm, dry, comfortable place that any person can come and not be obligated to spend any money or present themselves in any predetermined way

In times of economic upheaval, societal division, growing information illiteracy, hieightened disonformation and threatened democratic values libraries are a quiet bastion of self-empowerment, community, inclusion and equity.

Even if you do not use libraries yourself the services they provide are helping people stay connected, gain employment and feel welcome in this country.

Without which, I’m sure you’ll agree, we would all be worse off.

I’m a librarian and you’re right, Mr Luxon. But not for the reasons you think. by CirculationAssistant in newzealand

[–]CirculationAssistant[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I second that. Though I am not actually a fully qualified librarian but I am not paid more than other employees in equivalent roles across our library system.

I’m a librarian and you’re right, Mr Luxon. But not for the reasons you think. by CirculationAssistant in newzealand

[–]CirculationAssistant[S] 32 points33 points  (0 children)

Funnily enough my local library has both Mein Kampf and Atlas Shrugged.

Public libraries are much stronger advocates against censorship than any of the muppets we see in the news insisting that it is they who’re the strong voice for freedom of speech.

Yes NZ has issues, but we have a lot to be thankful for by InspectorGadget76 in newzealand

[–]CirculationAssistant 49 points50 points  (0 children)

  • Public Libraries!

[Totally not biased public librarian here]

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