On the local news this morning, the news that the union of city library employees are striking. At issue: job security provisions, According to this article the issue is job security provisions”
“Under a recently signed agreement with city outside workers belonging to Local 416, only those employed by the city 15 years will get security giving them continued employment if their jobs are made redundant by outsourcing. An agreement like that for library workers would leave about 70 per cent vulnerable, said O’Reilly, because so many are part-timers.”
Another article reporting on the subject off-handedly concluded with a remark that the library’s e-services will operate as usual. I have really mixed feelings about that. The patron in me is glad I can pick up my e-holds and reserve books as usual; I pretty much only use the library for its e-services these days. On the other hand, I suppose that’s a form of virtual picket crossing and that’s probably wrong. And I suppose it’s people like me who made the library workers vulnerable to job loss in the first place by ceasing to make use of their core service.
I do sympathize with the striking workers—nobody wants to be out of a job. But at the same time, I know that heavily socialist Canada has huge problems with the whole union system. So much of the workforce is unionized that it’s absolutely choking our city budget, and I know a battle on this has been brewing for some time in more than one sector. If we truly need fewer librarians, whatever the reason, I am not sure I’m in favour of a union contract that forces taxpayer me to pay for them anyway.
You can safely disregard the last paragraph of this screed, which has no relationship to the reality of Canada (Conservative majority government) or Toronto. But she’s so concerned with virtual picket-crossing.
Some E-book uses will be affected: the Toronto Public Library cancels e-book access for every patron every 365 days — without notice, btw. To restore service, you need to physically show up at a branch, with photo ID and proof you live in Toronto (like a recent utility bill showing your name and address). (I’m not complaining about the requirement: it helps ensure patrons are local residents; but an e-mail notice would be nice.)
Obviously, when the library is closed (normal after hours closure or due to strike), you can’t restore your e-book lending capability.
@Alexander
Try logging into your regular library account, not the ebook services account. In most library computer systems, your expiration date should show on your record. That’s the date that you need to pay attention to. You should probably be able to go in early and have that reset.
Are you a Toronto Public Library user? Or just speculating? (I appreciate you are trying to be helpful.)
There is zero information about me other than the email addy or PIN. Nothing else can be changed online. Even my name isn’t shown — let alone any account expiry.
As per the website, logged in:
Update other personal information
If your address changes, please let us know. Staff at your local branch have to update this information for you – it can’t be done online or by phone. Please bring valid identification showing your name and new address.
If your phone number changes, you can ask to have it updated at your local branch or by phone or email.
If you have moved, you may also want to ask us to change your home branch.