And just in case you didn’t realize this either, no worries, the Louisiana state Board of Ethics has asked and answered such questions for you.  Apparently, it has been decided that staff members at St. Tammy’s Parish Libary in New Orleans that accept homemade or inexpensive gifts at the holidays [or at any time] are basically accepting bribes, whether either party knows it or not.  And as heard on the recent NPR story, “Janice Butler, the director of the St. Tammany Parish Library, says she has been told that even accepting a Coca-Cola will lead to prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.”

So these are baked goods or small, inexpensive trinkets, they are not travel packages to Cabo.  Instead of seeing these gifts as ways for patrons to curry favor with library staff [to what? get their names placed higher on holds lists or waive fines or make sure the patron has an 'in' at the next Tiny Tots Storytime?  Are these really reasons for prosecution?] why not see them as satisfied patrons thanking library staff for a job well done?  Or for fostering a sense of community [as is part of a library's mission!] to the point that patrons feel comfortable giving these sort of gifts as they would with a neighbor, friend, or family member?

Over the years we’ve forgotten about our libraries. If we thought about them at all, we thought they were anachronisms, unimportant, and irrelevant. We were wrong. What I learned from my experience was that when you’re at the bottom, there is someplace you can go to remain connected, to learn, and even get some entertainment to take your mind off your troubles. No matter how little money you have, you can afford it. It’s free.  It’s your local public library. It’s still relevant, and that’s something to remember when times are tough. They’re going to play an important role to many people in the coming year. Even if you’re one of the fortunate ones who won’t need it, remember that it’s there, and support it. You never know.

It bears repeating: They’re going to play an important role to many people in the coming year. Even if you’re one of the fortunate ones who won’t need it, remember that it’s there, and support it.