Author Archives: Scott C. Jarzombek

ON AND OFF THE SHELVES: Everything is going to be just fine (without fines).

Eliminating late fines for patrons is not something new in the library world. My first time hearing about it was after taking my freshman director’s position in 2011. At the time, I was cynical about going fine free. I remember saying to a colleague, “That is not going to last.” [Continue Here]

ON AND OFF THE SHELVES: If no one is mad at your decision you may not have made one at all

It has been a while since I posted an “inside baseball” type blog about running a library. So since this particular topic has been on my mind for months, I thought I might share it. Buildings and facilities are one of the hardest parts of my job. And it’s a role that a library degreeContinue reading “ON AND OFF THE SHELVES: If no one is mad at your decision you may not have made one at all”

ON AND OFF THE SHELVES: Never be afraid of failure

In 2014 my father was posthumously inducted into the New York State Stock Car Hall of Fame in Saratoga. I typically don’t attend such events. However, my aunt could not make the trip and did not want my uncle to go alone. Since it was in Saratoga, I drew the shortest straw. My uncle isContinue reading “ON AND OFF THE SHELVES: Never be afraid of failure”

ON AND OFF THE SHELVES: I wish my job didn’t involve bathrooms as much as it does.

But facilities — including bathrooms — are a big part of what Albany’s libraries provide to the community. And a week doesn’t go by without me getting an email from a member of the public about a building issue. We often talk about the library as “the third place” — a shared, neutral meeting spaceContinue reading “ON AND OFF THE SHELVES: I wish my job didn’t involve bathrooms as much as it does.”