“Exposing the policy makers beyond the policy makers”

This clip is entered into the University of Arizona’s video 2014 library PR contest.  Although it seems as if it is not a promotional, and I don’t plan on taking first place, it offers the beginnings of solutions that would make the University library system appeal not only to the regional community outside student affairs, but to people venturing here to conduct research and to use the facilities.  

The purpose…

The purpose in this part I in a series of articles is to expose the system beyond the one localized, and seemingly superficial issue, to show that resources and services (including books that are being systematically ‘burned’ when they are removed for archival elsewhere from library shelves all over the country) are being done away with.

This clip is the first few minutes of a documentary that digs deep into the goals of the NSA working diligently to evaporate the liberties of the population who once was respected, but now extradited from the corporate community.  The University of Arizona resembles a private corporation in which outsiders, the community at large, is systematically clipped at the Achilles tendon until severed.  The process is common in the world of New World Order affairs in which the goal is to extinguish completely one’s ability to function in society.  To appear innocent, it is accomplished by making it look as is if it is the fault of the consumer who doesn’t buy into the system, but support it as a slave laborer.  The Elites do this incrementally until there is little to no power behind the people and then the curtains are shut for lack of power to respond.  

If the NSA, who is the policy maker, gives direction to the policy deliverers on the University levels, did away with community user services entirely at once without offering the illusion that maintains favorable public opinion, the news would pick it up and there would trigger a revolt by the community at large.  This stunts their end goal to severe the relationship with ‘outsiders’.  Severely limiting a program but allowing for meager incentives until a future date is how the game is played.  Non believers denying this must be reminded that “history repeats itself”… this is what is known as a war tactic by the power elites and they are efficient and effective in the methodology.   Ask how many of your services have been cut in half, then in quarters, and then to nothing in every area of life?

Soon, nobody outside the UofA will have access to any of the library’s services other than to read whatever book hasn’t been removed from the shelves.  This is reflective of Unversities across the US if what I read in the email below is correct.  The governing bodies must squeeze out any powerful voice, or a thrust by a large group.  It is done by dwindling the user groups manageable for them to finally end the service… by then, the program can be cut entirely without fear of public scrutiny.  When at one time a million people in Tucson, for example of a medium to large size city, had access to all of its University computers, it provides only 25 people or so at given times with an hour in one tier in one library in the basement.   When traffic is light, a researcher attempting to work a project requiring long hours is lucky, there is no hope they can continue their work because of the limitations.   Public libraries are open for limited times throughout the week and their computers lack many software programs the University has to offer.

This clip is for the purpose of expressing two causes.  First, to show that any solution can be achieved and second, that the highly restrictive public use policy implemented was not necessary.  The community was purposely not included for discussion. 

An email finally made it to my desk after almost a year in delay.  Ironically, I posted the video above just before receiving this note.  The information mentioned were excuses as to why policy won’t change and the conclusion of her note made very clear that they will not consider making any changes regardless of what is proposed in the suggestion field of their on-line survey, in person, or how ever one would approach them.  Hence, the need to voice my opinion through their contest that is global in reach and carries with it the beginning of a research study as to why Universities across the nation are conforming to NSA rules.

“… UA students and faculty have priority use.  Also, please know that there are no current plans to remove or change access to the computers on Tier 5.”

There is a vast drive to do away with personnel not only with librarian staff, but the janitorial staff.  9 million in library funding was cut (diverted elsewhere) while the President’s new office, the ‘Old Main’ building, is being refurbished at 13 million dollars.   Meanwhile, tuition has sky rocketed and students complaint of being poor.  They’re not fooling me.

“The computers (including those in The Zone) are all managed through the use of logins using the campus NetID. Authenticating using a campus NetID allows access without requiring additional staff resources.  This is standard practice at academic libraries across the country. The implementation of logins on computers and for room reservations did not change any policies, but allowed enforcement of the previous policies to be automatic while requiring minimal staff resources. While it may appear that there are computers in The Zone that are not being utilized, much of the software in this area requires processing time that does not necessitate a person being at the computer. The staff in this area work closely with faculty and students utilizing Zone software for various class assignments.“

The entire email is presented below for contextual purposes:

On 10-02-2014 4:14 pm, Pintozzi, Chestalene wrote:

Hello [Lee],  I forwarded your message to Robyn Huff-Eible, the team leader of the library’s Access and Information Services team.  Her team manages the public spaces of the UA Libraries.  Here is her response.

“Thank-you for sharing your concerns. We take all concerns seriously. I have looked back through the previous quarter of user feedback, but I don’t see any prior suggestions or questions related to this topic.

In terms of using library group study rooms, they are open to the public; however, you are correct that students have priority use through the reservation system. Our students are strong advocates for accessibility to libraries, and pay a dedicated fee of $200 in addition to their tuition to support the environment we promote to advance their education. We regularly meet with student leadership groups, and one of their top priorities has been addressing the issue of competition for resources between students and non-UA users. The room reservation system and technology in these rooms have been funded solely by the student library fee.

The computers (including those in The Zone) are all managed through the use of logins using the campus NetID. Authenticating using a campus NetID allows access without requiring additional staff resources. This is standard practice at academic libraries across the country. The implementation of logins on computers and for room reservations did not change any policies, but allowed enforcement of the previous policies to be automatic while requiring minimal staff resources. While it may appear that there are computers in The Zone that are not being utilized, much of the software in this area requires processing time that does not necessitate a person being at the computer. The staff in this area work closely with faculty and students utilizing Zone software for various class assignments.

The purpose of the University of Arizona Libraries is to provide resources and services that meet the learning and research needs of the faculty and students of the university. Over the years, the University Libraries have been able to provide access to collections, some services and equipment to the broader Tucson community where such access does not negatively impact our students and faculty. The number of public workstations and group study rooms are not sufficient for the student demand much of the time. Additionally, the high volume of traffic on equipment requires more frequent maintenance and replacement which financially is difficult due to budget constraints.

While information about Skype is not on their website, the Joel D. Valdez Main Library has 3 rooms that can be reserved for up to 2 hours and used for Skype (using your own laptop and their Wi-Fi) by calling the Infoline at 520-791-4010.

Again, please feel free to use unoccupied group study rooms as long as you are aware that the length of time using the rooms is not guaranteed. UA students and faculty have priority use. Also, please know that there are no current plans to remove or change access to the computers on Tier 5.”

Robyn Huff-Eibl – Team Leader, Access & Information Services - University of Arizona Libraries, B201a

Reply

Thank you Robyn,

Last quarter then.. I’d like you to view my submission for the library contest if you have 6 minutes.. I didn’t do it to win which is why I didn’t follow time perimeter rules of 5 minutes max.. I did it because I had nobody help with my inquiry and felt that if everyone saw this, then I’d be invited to a discussion about it.  I do expect it to be viewed for the reason I felt I was ignored.. this then is a good way to express a thought and a part of me which is difficult to read in an email.  Ironically, I’m receiving your email moments before I submitted the entry.  Interesting.  I wonder why that happened?   
Lee

Original inquiry after almost one year of no response

Hello,

I’m writing to ask if my suggestions have been considered.  If not, I’d like them to be.  If considered, but not applicable to UofA policy, I’d like to know and to know why and who stands by this.  [It's been almost one year] and I haven’t heard a word back about my suggestions.

I’m the one who asked that community users the opportunity to reserve a study room for two hours a week during times when it would be in the hours they’re not being booked, during finals, and whenever it would cause a problem with student flow.  At times when there are no availability, then I would assume it’s okay to cancel a reservation.  So, my suggestion is appropriate and should not only be looked into, but implemented.  The others had to do with an opportunity to use a multi-media “Zone” station during non rush hour traffic times to do work with programs not loaded on the tier 5 network.   Like the mornings, the zone has availability throughout the day and the study rooms near tier 5 vacant until after 10 10:30, but not to capacity until the afternoon.

The room reservation is important for community users for the reason the University is a good place to have meetings, skype for the courtesy of library quiet code of conduct reasons, and the use of a plasma screen for group presentations just like the students privileges are given.   If there is a problem with any of these requests as to why they cannot override the current policy, I’d like to convenience a meeting among you all to prove my case and show that it would benefit the reputation of the school. 

I think I’d be the only one to actually reserve a room since as a community user, I have a laptop.  There is no need to install a computer in a room unless you find it interesting to set up a conference room with Skype availablity for students as well to do their conferences with other schools and or affiliates of the University conferencing from elsewhere.

I have the power of voice on my websites to do otherwise and really recommend that this is taken seriously and that I’m invited in on a staff meeting to explain exactly what my suggestions are and how they won’t interfere with student flow, study… anything can be done if both parties are not self-serving or acting using decoys and avoidance.. if I don’t say anything today, it’ll turn into a half year and then finally 2015. 

I’m doing this for the opportunity for all to feel welcome outside this school.  For example, what if someone visiting from a rival school in a ball game venue and wants some privacy or be able to skype or do video production if they’re in need of resources because something happened to their computer.  And, they come to this facility to find they can’t do a damn thing unless they’re at one particular library underground in one tier without privacy, or privileges extended to students?  Well, they’d think “This school is completely locked down!”  There are so many reasons to look good to people who come here that are not “off the street” so to speak.

There is talk about that tier 5 will be done away with anyhow and that having created a controlled and corralled condition was just one step in this direction… just to look good on the surface without being controversial and frowned upon if completely done away with.. the community would have revolted and the NSA/UofA would not have succeeded in outing the outsiders.   So, why not help us low lives while it lasts?