re: Seattle libraries implement racial segregation in the name of social justice

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I want a third party.

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Join me on my quest to bring the Whig party back to prominence

There's a difference between wanting some socialist programs such as MFA and actually being down with marxism and communism. Much of the right seems to not understand that.. unless it's for large corporations.

I’d sit in the color people section then flip out when they try to tell me I can’t identify as a person of color.

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left-of-center mind

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Too many like this controlling libraries - irony is lefties are needed but it’s gotten out of hand

Libraries shouldn’t have to train librarians to give shots to ppl who are od-ing

Libraries should have stricter policies and rules, they shouldn’t have to provide things just bc some people can’t afford them

Libraries cannot save the world, that’s up to the patrons

If this trend continues - libraries need to hire nurses, EMTs, and social workers

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Too many like this controlling libraries - irony is lefties are needed but it’s gotten out of hand

Libraries shouldn’t have to train librarians to give shots to ppl who are od-ing

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There's some things you listed I agree with, and some I don't. I agree libraries shouldn't have to train library staff how to administer Narcan or other overdose medication. However the reality is that there is an opioid epidemic in every part of America (cities/suburbs/rural, rich/poor, old/young) and the American public library system is designed to be open to everyone. I'd rather not have library staff encounter a patron experiencing an overdose, but until opioid overdoses no longer happen it'd be better to be prepared than ignore the situation. And yes I understand there's an argument to be made that if opioid abusers know they can be treated somewhere then the action continues, but I'd rather library staff choose to have Narcan training than be forced to participate or ignore it if opioid overdoses are a concern in the community.

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Libraries should have stricter policies and rules, they shouldn’t have to provide things just bc some people can’t afford them

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In terms of policies and rules, usually those are agreed upon by the Library Director and a Board of Directors or School Board. If I didn't agree with rules or policies, or felt they were improperly spending money on things that aren't necessary I'd be voicing my concerns with the elected officials that oversee the direction of the library. Usually these elected officials relate more to citizen concerns than library administration.

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Libraries cannot save the world, that’s up to the patrons

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Again, I agree with some of this but not enough to move me away from current operation of service. I agree libraries cannot save the world. But they can make the world of a difference to those that use them. I've seen my fair share of recent library school graduates have that idealistic passion where they can change the world, similar to new school teachers. Sometimes that passion fades after multiple negative encounters with public patrons, or the realization that a lack of money and resources will require more work than discussed in school, or it happens when they realize upward mobility in the profession is pretty limited. But I won't fault or criticize them for continuing to show up for work every day after the return to Earth happens. I think (or hope) we agree that library staff deal with things that they shouldn't need to like public masturbation, unwanted attention and stalking, signs of malnourishment and physical abuse of children, psychological disturbances, and unstable or underfunded budgets (unless you're in EBR from my experience).

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If this trend continues - libraries need to hire nurses, EMTs, and social workers

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Libraries won't hire First Responders. Communities may hire First Responders to work part or all open hours but the vast majority of libraries don't have budgets big enough to take on that financial burden. Libraries may hire off-duty LEOs or private security services, but's usually sold as enforcement and security for a risk-adverse profession. Taxpayers will need to make that decision. If they do it's because they view their community library/ies as valuable enough to allocate additional resources, but probably likely due to NIMBY mentality.

Academic libraries, school libraries, special libraries, and archives have their own separate issues but doesn't need to be brought up in this thread.