Do we need a librarian?

[rosco rathbone]

The gig of librarian seems to be a kiss of death. How many librarians stick around after their term of service has expired?

 

[Sir_Winston54]

Why not just have a bunch of librarians and assign them different parts of the alaphabet? Like one librarian gets A - F and so on.

That way it's not as overwhelming and you can see if anyone is slipping or quits and just assign a new librarian for their part instead of having to find another librarian to cover the whole thing.

Great idea.

That's a really good idea.

Yup.

That would work if you had some guidelines to ensure it all looked as if one person did it.

That shouldn't be difficult for the reasonable and lovely folks we have here. Everyone here always agrees with everyone else, right? Seriously, I don't think it would be hard for anyone who has the librarian attitude.

I like this idea. Last time it felt very much, to me, like a popularity contest. Honestly, I don't know if I have the emotional energy to go through with it again.

Especially since I have a feeling that, if she's interested, CM would be on that list. I don't see myself 'winning' against her.

Having read a bit here and there about the demands on the Mouse's time, I kinda doubt she'd want to take it on by herself. However, if there were 2, 3, 4 others who wanted to co-librarian, she might be able to find the time to do some of it. "Many hands make light work," you know? And really, I think maintaining and updating the Library IS more than a one-person job, to do it well.

I really don't think it is a one-person job.

Amen.

I think Daddy2 had a great idea there. Cat, Marquis? How about some comments from our fearless leaders?

 

[graceanne]

Honestly, I think the idea of two more three librarians is a good idea. But I think their should be some chain of command, to prevent a stalemate over a disagreement. Like a 'lead librarian' and two (?) 'co-librarians'. We could have someone open up a bdsm_librarian account, and the three (?) librarians would all have the password.

That way, also, if the 'main librarian' gets 'the kiss of death', one of the 'co-librarians' can take over. Or we can give that account to someone else, instead of having to start over, AGAIN.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

Honestly, I think the idea of two or three librarians is a good idea. But I think their should be some chain of command, to prevent a stalemate over a disagreement. Like a 'lead librarian' and two (?) 'co-librarians'. We could have someone open up a bdsm_librarian account, and the three (?) librarians would all have the password.

That way, also, if the 'main librarian' gets 'the kiss of death', one of the 'co-librarians' can take over. Or we can give that account to someone else, instead of having to start over, AGAIN.

:nods:

 

[CutieMouse]

Dividing up the BDSM topical alphabet is a great idea.






Librarianismness is not an option, here.

 

[catalina_francisco]

I'm not sure I would agree that dividing it alphabetically would work...I can see that as becoming a very sore point with some for a variety of reasons and I know if it were me, I would find it too restrictive. As for how many people are required, it gets down to dedication, time, and commitment. ADE did it for a long time to an exceptional standard, and alone...have to say she went beyond the call of duty and remained impartial with only the library as a concern...but unfortunately, eventually her life became too busy for her to continue so she resigned (I did practically beg her to stay)...she spoiled us in terms of future librarian expectations.

One thing I remember though throughout the history of the library is that when there is more than one person doing it, it often creates problems (for a number of reasons), hence rebecca opted for doing it alone. Under the circumstances though, it has not worked well as it is not finished, has not been kept updated and tidy, and rebecca has not been heard of in awhile now. If we are to go with adding another person, or getting a new librarian, I think this time the option to redesign the library from scratch is not going to be an option. It takes a long time during which time the library is a work in transition, it can become confusing when a whole new system is put in place (eg. what goes under what based on a person's personal preferences) and I just feel given it has been in need of attention for so long, that time would be better spent going through the threads recent and older and adding ones with relevance to the existing references, as well as deleting or fixing the links that perhaps are no longer working.

I also think we need to have the password given to the moderators as a safeguard as this is the second time we have been left with a library we cannot access as the librarian is MIA and has not shared the password to the librarian username...this was not how it was supposed to be this time to try and prevent it happening again, but it seems to have.

Catalina

 

[WriterDom]

I'm not sure I would agree that dividing it alphabetically would work...I can see that as becoming a very sore point with some for a variety of reasons and I know if it were me, I would find it too restrictive. As for how many people are required, it gets down to dedication, time, and commitment. ADE did it for a long time to an exceptional standard, and alone...have to say she went beyond the call of duty and remained impartial with only the library as a concern...but unfortunately, eventually her life became too busy for her to continue so she resigned (I did practically beg her to stay)...she spoiled us in terms of future librarian expectations.

One thing I remember though throughout the history of the library is that when there is more than one person doing it, it often creates problems (for a number of reasons), hence rebecca opted for doing it alone. Under the circumstances though, it has not worked well as it is not finished, has not been kept updated and tidy, and rebecca has not been heard of in awhile now. If we are to go with adding another person, or getting a new librarian, I think this time the option to redesign the library from scratch is not going to be an option. It takes a long time during which time the library is a work in transition, it can become confusing when a whole new system is put in place (eg. what goes under what based on a person's personal preferences) and I just feel given it has been in need of attention for so long, that time would be better spent going through the threads recent and older and adding ones with relevance to the existing references, as well as deleting or fixing the links that perhaps are no longer working.

I also think we need to have the password given to the moderators as a safeguard as this is the second time we have been left with a library we cannot access as the librarian is MIA and has not shared the password to the librarian username...this was not how it was supposed to be this time to try and prevent it happening again, but it seems to have.

Catalina

Put up a nominating thread and just pick one using your own judgement.

GIT-R-DONE!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtAUsVXB9OU

 

[Marquis]

I think Daddy2 had a great idea there. Cat, Marquis? How about some comments from our fearless leaders?

I am personally in favor of having a librarian, preferably multiple librarians, but not in favor of dividing the duties alphabetically.

I am certainly open to other duty-sharing ideas however, and think the most important input would come from parties interested in taking on the responsibility.

 

[Sir_Winston54]

I am personally in favor of having a librarian, preferably multiple librarians, but not in favor of dividing the duties alphabetically.

I am certainly open to other duty-sharing ideas however, and think the most important input would come from parties interested in taking on the responsibility.

I think Marquis is right. There should be no reason that the Librarians could not discuss among themselves how to best to share the duties - after all, *they* would be the ones doing the work!

 

[WriterDom]

I think two is a nice number. And if one disappears for say 30 days he or she is fired and another one is hired. Let them work it out on how it is run.

 

[Marquis]

Let's keep in mind that BDSM librarian is a position of public service to this forum that offers no tangible reward. Anyone who will or has done it for whatever length of time has done the board a favor and deserves our appreciation.

 

[catalina_francisco]

Let's keep in mind that BDSM librarian is a position of public service to this forum that offers no tangible reward. Anyone who will or has done it for whatever length of time has done the board a favor and deserves our appreciation.

Ditto.


Catalina

 

[graceanne]

Let's keep in mind that BDSM librarian is a position of public service to this forum that offers no tangible reward. Anyone who will or has done it for whatever length of time has done the board a favor and deserves our appreciation.

Very true. Whether they had to go or not both rebecca and analise did this forum a huge favor and deserve our thanks.

I still say this time that you guys should know what the password is (just in case life happens to the librarian).

 

[Sir_Winston54]

Gracie and adakgirl have apparently both volunteered for the position(s), and I haven't noted any other "applications" in the thread... I suggest that Cat and Marquis initiate a dialogue (quadralogue?) with the two of them, and that they (the candidates) open a dialogue between themselves, and see what they can work out as an initial working plan.

If someone else would like to volunteer, they need to make themselves known, at least to Cat and Marquis, so they can be considered as well. If later on, someone else would like to get involved, they would then discuss the situation with the "current" Librarian(s), and then seek approval for additional personnel from the mods if it was felt that the new volunteer would be willing and able to fit into the established structure.

Thus be it said, and so moved.

Do I hear a second?

 

[Marquis]

Sounds good to me.

 

[graceanne]

I'm still willing to do this. I, also, am MORE than willing to share this with someone else.

 

[WriterDom]

I'm still willing to do this. I, also, am MORE than willing to share this with someone else.

I'm glad you are going to do it.

 

[BiBunny]

I'd love to assist whomever gets the head librarian position if he/she so desired. But I definitely do not want the responsibility of overseeing the whole project myself.

 

[graceanne]

I'm glad you are going to do it.

Oh. Thanks.

I haven't been told I am, yet, though.

I'd love to assist whomever gets the head librarian position if he/she so desired. But I definitely do not want the responsibility of overseeing the whole project myself.

Cool.

 

[Adakgirl]

I'm still willing to do this. I, also, am MORE than willing to share this with someone else.

Ditto here, yet unsure if I am qualified because I do not know how it's done.

 

[graceanne]

Ditto here, yet unsure if I am qualified because I do not know how it's done.

That's ok. I'm sure me and bunny could show you. It's mostly finding good, educational threads and cataloging them so that others can find them relatively painlessly.

 

[ShyVixen]

Hmm, I missed this thread! It makes me laugh as my RL day job is a librarian.

Good luck to everyone who will be 'cataloguing' the threads.

 

[Marquis]

OK guys, sorry about the lack of leadership on this issue, but I've been traveling a bit.

PMing Catalina now to discuss and will get back to all of you soon.

 

[graceanne]

OK guys, sorry about the lack of leadership on this issue, but I've been traveling a bit.

PMing Catalina now to discuss and will get back to all of you soon.

*gasp*

You mean, you two have lives outside of lit?

Oh, the horror!

Don't worry, life will go on without a librarian for a bit longer. lol Have fun with your traveling.

 

[Adakgirl]

That's ok. I'm sure me and bunny could show you. It's mostly finding good, educational threads and cataloging them so that others can find them relatively painlessly.

I'm all in then, good at searching, finding, sharing.