What's Going On @ the Library

So, as most of you know, I work at a Library! And I am sure all ya'll get yourselfs to thinking that it must be mighty fine and quiet working in a library.

Well I have to say that Friday was one of those days where I had to deal with the Patrons From Hell.

We have (much to my dismay) free public access internet. There would not be a problem if the people in our community took advantage of them, but mostly due to poor service, paid printing, and the small number of available computers most the people in the surrounding communities come to our little haven to use ours.

So after, I don't know how many years of giving away FREE copies, the library in their infinite wisdom decided to charge for copies...but not from page 1...but from page 11 (that's still 10 free...10 more than any other library in the state)!

"Sure, sure, that's cool" you say...but if you do not first go to "Print Preview" and then select your pages...you are going to get both the first title page (that only has the title frame) and the last page (that only has the URL link) counted as the 10 pages.

This is exactly what happened to one of our infamous C.C.s (computer cranks). This is a large, loud, rude, aggressive, abusive man...and I have go-rounds with him often (usually about him not having his library card/number). So, of course, he has problems, because he has printed 8 pages (2 which he has tossed out) and proceeds to try and print 4 more...believing he has only printed 6 (the 2 he threw away didn't count in his wee mind). The computer tells him...it's not going to print and he needs to deposit money to his account!

Well...he gets peevy and yells at the children's librarian....she yells back. No problem, but then he goes to the desk and yells at my staff...who come and get me. He then yells at me...I am so not gonna take his crap...and I tell him in no uncertain terms: "Do NOT talk to me in that manner...or I'm Not going to help you!" He shuts up for about 90 seconds, and I am getting ready to print 2 free pages for him...as I explain the new policy. Stoopid man starts yelling at me, so, I stop what I am doing on the computer...and say "This is the policy, it has changed, today I'll print your pages." To which the Dumb-F@#k yells: "You can your policy and Go To Hell!" At that point, I say, "And you can go someplace else" and I walk away...I go back to my desk in back and sit down.

Meanwhile...it gets busy and he's harassing my staff agian...I go out and help the people in line and walk away...and he starts yelling at me....and I just say "YOu cussed at me...I'm not helping you".

Bless my boss...we file a harassment report, and next time we call the Sheriff.

The second incident of the day, is with a freak who scans the internet looking for a Virginal Russian Bride.....he also uses our computers. Now this creep has $$$$, he goes to Russia at least 2-3 times a year in order to meet the gals from his Russian Hottie Bride websites, he has a new BMW convertible, he lives with his Momma....and is too cheap to buy a computer (which for him is a 100% business write-off).

Apparently, while he was sitting in his car making his business phone calls, the Sheriff comes by and checks him out! The Sheriff also informs him, we have a "No Loitering" policy.... What does the freak do? Comes in all upset, because he thinks I called the po-lice on him (not this time I didn't..but give me a reason & I will)...and he starts whining at me. I just tell him, we have a No Loitering policy....which he says he has just now become aware of (Hell he was parked next to the farking sign)...and I told him...the po-lice discourage people hanging around the parking lot.

So that was my day.....All you out there who use the library...Be Kind...we are providing you a free service that soon might slip away due to loss of revenue...and there where will you go for free internet, entertainment, information, baby-sitting, and books?

Universal Healthcare: Librarian Woes

So, this is what you might want to remember...the people who are against National Healthcare are the ones who already have excellent healthcare benefits. Many are large corporate sponsors, who Do Not provide healthcare for their employees. Many of those people are Doctors and Insurance Companies. They are the ones who have the most to lose.

Not only that...if your Senator or Congressman/woman is against healthcare, you better know that they themselves are f*&$#@ing with you, because as a government benefit, they have Excellent healthcare for themselves and the members of their families.

Everyone has the right to medical care...at a pro-rated rate.

We give medicare to legal immigrants over the age of 62...so then why the hell not give healthcare to our own citizens?

If you say we can't afford it, it's because we don't want to, we are too greedy! Employers should be forced to give all full-time employees healthcare and those who are part-time prorated benefits.

Read the following post....get ALL the Facts....Do Not trust Big Business not the Doctors, not the drug companies, nor the Insurance copmanies...they will try to kill you everytime. It's how they make their money...keeping you ill.


http://librarianwoes.wordpress.com/2009/08/23/universal-healthcare/#comment-6194

I really didn’t think I would have to write a post about the importance of healthcare reform yet here I am. Nearly a year ago I voted for Obama because the McPain alternative was totally unacceptable to me and I wasn’t about to let that happen. The primary reason that Obama secured my vote over Clinton was his healthcare plan. Now, because of wildly hyperbolic Republican lies, and private healthcare funded theatrics at town hall meetings across the Country here I sit typing away with the hope of persuading people who know the difference between crazy talk and actual factual data.

I’m going to link to some articles, that illustrate why “public healthcare” is the best option. And I’m going to ask you to write to your Congressperson and tell them to support the public option. You can reach your Senators by going to this link. You can reach your Representatives by going here. Many of them, if not all, can be contacted via web form these days, so I urge you to write and explain why you would like them to support a healthcare bill that has a public healthcare option attached to it before the very narrow window of opportunity at hand closes forever. These are serious people, so when you write to these people, be courteous and sincere if you want them to take you seriously and oblige.

First off, United States citizens pay the most for healthcare in the world (if we can get it at all), yet we rank 37th out of 191 countries for the quality of care that we receive. This is appalling! Also note that there are about 46 million people currently in the United States who are uninsured, and another 13 million are projected to become uninsured by 2010 if the National unemployment rate hits 10% by the end of the year as it is expected to. This is unacceptable.

Those are the cold hard facts. That said universal healthcare is a moral imperative. There are other higher ideals to consider. Now, I’m not a bible thumper. But I do think that Jesus had the right idea. Without peace and love and forgiveness we aren’t going to make it. A lot of people out there ask what Jesus would do, and use Christ when he suits their agendas. However, in the case of healthcare Jesus himself tells us exactly what to do in Matthew 25: 31-46, the meat of which is this: “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Simply put, the “public option” is the right thing to do, just as we do with the fire department, with basic education, and with our police force… Can anyone imagine a private municipal police force? I can, they’re called Blackwater, and we currently have the same system in place regarding healthcare. This system is evil and needs to be changed and you have the power to do it. Let your Congresspeople know how you feel right now about the “public option” and right this horrible wrong that grows more insidious each and every day.

Our current private healthcare system is unsustainable and is very near hitting the proverbial wall already… Once it gets to that point it’s going to be similar to the situation that we’re currently experiencing regarding the banking industry right now so I implore you… DO NOT WAIT!! Because when this happens it won’t be banks hesitant to lend to one another, it will be your insurance company (if you’re lucky enough to have one of these leeches) hesitant to provide you some necessary treatment that might have a good chance of saving your life.

Seriously people, if a public healthcare option doesn’t pass right now we are seriously screwed! BTW, I am not writing this because I have anything to gain (at least in the short term). As a public librarian I already have the “public” option… I just want all of you guys to get a piece of the pie.

If the Democrats cannot secure enough votes in the Senate to guarantee the bill’s passage, I think this to be a serious enough issue for them to drop the legislative atomic bomb that they have at their disposal. Namely, “reconciliation.” Reconciliation is an obscure Senatorial tactic that requires only a simple majority (51) to pass a bill. The absurdity of this is that a simple majority is all that is required according to our Constitution. However, over the last several years the GOP has used another formerly seldom used tactic called a filibuster to force 60 vote majorities on nearly every bill that comes up for a vote. 60 is the new 51!

The Democrats do not want to have to resort to this as it will be viewed as an underhanded tactic by the GOP, which is actually quite the absurdity since the GOP thinks it can do whatever it wants to (like change 51 to 60), and apparently can since nobody every strenuously objects to their shenanigans.

It’s time to go nuclear! This is THE moment of our lifetime… When the American people see how good the “public option” regarding healthcare actually is, they will be indebted to every Democrat in Congress for generations. Again, contact your Senators and Representatives right now. You, your children, your grandchildren, and all the generations of Americans to follow are worth the effort. Here is your chance to be a real hero!

National Health Care

Dear Friend, Anyone that's watched the news in the past few days knows that health insurance reform is a hot topic — and that rumors and scare tactics have only increased as more people engage with the issue. Given a lot of the outrageous claims floating around, it’s time to make sure everyone knows the facts about the security and stability you get with health insurance reform. That’s why we’ve launched a new online resource — WhiteHouse.gov/RealityCheck — to help you separate fact from fiction and share the truth about health insurance reform. Here's a few of the reality check videos you can find on the site: CEA Chair Christina Romer details how health insurance reform will impact small businesses. Domestic Policy Council Director Melody Barnes tackles a nasty rumor about euthanasia and clearly describes how reform helps families. Matt Flavin, the White House's Director of Veterans and Wounded Warrior Policy, clears the air about Veteran's benefits. Kavita Patel, M.D., a doctor serving in the White House's Office of Public Engagement, explains that health care rationing is happening right now and how reform gives control back to patients and doctors. Bob Kocher, M.D., a doctor serving on the National Economic Council, debunks the myth that health insurance reform will be financed by cutting Medicare benefits. There's more information and a number of online tools you can use to spread the truth among your family, friends and other social networks. Take a look: We knew going into this effort that accomplishing comprehensive health insurance reform wasn't going to be easy. Achieving real change never is. The entrenched interests that benefit from the status quo always use their influence in Washington to try and keep things just as they are. But don't be misled. We know the status quo is unsustainable. If we do nothing, millions more Americans will be denied insurance because of pre-existing conditions, or see their coverage suddenly dropped if they become seriously ill. Out-of-pocket expenses will continue to soar, and more and more families and businesses will be forced to deal with health insurance costs they can’t afford. That's the reality. Americans deserve better. You deserve a health care system that works as well for you as it does for the status quo; one you can depend on — that won't deny you coverage when you need it most or charge you crippling out-of-pocket co-pays. Health insurance reform means guaranteeing the health care security and stability you deserve. President Barack Obama promised he'd bring change to Washington and fix our broken, unsustainable health insurance system. You can help deliver that change. Visit WhiteHouse.gov/RealityCheck, get the facts and spread the truth. The stakes are just too high to do nothing. Thank you, David David Axelrod Senior Advisor to the President

Free Nataive American Genealogy Workshop

Proving Your American Indian Ancestry

Free Public Program
Saturday August 22, 2009: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

This workshop will cover traditional and emerging genealogical resources and other issues related to researching American Indian ancestry, and understanding requirements for a Certificate of Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB):
* Survey of audience tribal identity, extent of research done, and expectations for the workshop.
* Basics of starting and doing genealogy - pedigree chart and family group sheets.
* What family resources can you start with?
* Handout materials containing a pedigree chart, family group sheet, and a listing of genealogy resources.
* A brief history of American Indian records - major record groups, times periods, what they contain, and where are they located.
* How to access American Indians records on the internet such as "Indian Census Rolls".
* Internet websites for information about records.
* Question and answers.

Guest Presenter: Daniel M. Bartosz (Seneca descent)American Indian Genealogist / Research InstructorFamily History Centers – Los Angeles and Orange CountyAssociation of Professional Genealogists (APG)

Location:
Huntington Park Public Library – 1st Floor Meeting Room
6518 Miles Avenue
Huntington Park, CA 90255

For reservations call (323) 583-2794 or email airc@gw.colapl.org.
Please advise how many will be attending and which tribe(s) you are interested in researching.

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES PUBLIC LIBRARY
www.colapublib.org

For ADA accommodation, such as a sign language interpreter or materials in an alternative format, call (562) 940-8462 (voice) or (323) 726-0836 (TTY) Monday-Friday, 8-5, at least six business days prior to the event.

American Indian Resource Center Huntington Park Library 6518 Miles Avenue Huntington Park, CA 90255(323) 583-2794(323) 587-2061 FAXhttp://www.colapublib.org/services/ethnic/indian.php4County of Los Angeles Public Library