Interesting...

[altivo]

I received a mail order catalog this week from Jameco Electronics, a California-based supplier of computer parts and various electronic bits that are used by both computer and radio experimenters. I've used them for years because they accept small orders without tacking on a huge service fee, unlike many of the other companies who stock what I want. This catalog, however, looks very different on the outside. Instead of featuring some kind of parts display on the cover, it has a full page black and white photo taken by Dorothea Lange in 1933, showing a soup kitchen line on San Francisco's waterfront at the height of the Great Depression.

Sure enough, where there's usually a brief sales talk on page one pushing some new item, they credit the photo (title: "White Angel Breadline") and go on to say that like most of us, their company has felt the economic impact of this recession. The surprise, and something that seems unusual for many American corporations, is that they committed to avoiding lay offs among their employees if at all possible, and have so far succeeded. How? By cutting the salaries of top management, which certainly seems an appropriate first step to me. Those are the people who can best afford to take a major cut, and should be willing to do so to show their commitment to the company's goals and support for the employees who keep their operations going.

I have no reason to think they are just making this up. If true, then I have one more reason to continue to give them my business over others who may have slightly lower prices, but have shown less visible concern for the integrity of their operations and the security of their employees.

Alas, the opposite seems to be true of many libraries in our consortium. Most are trapped in a budget process that is controlled by their city government, and small towns are really feeling a pinch now as they lose tax revenues but still have to provide police, fire, and other services to the same size population. Unfortunately, many of them seem to be viewing their libraries as dispensible. So far, I can knock on wood for Harvard, which has not gone so far as to view the library tax funds as an unprotected source they can plunder at will.

Gloomy, drizzly weather. Supposed to be worse tomorrow, though we are still expecting a hay delivery in the morning. We hope to get it unloaded right away and send the empty wagon back. I expect about 150 bales. We will need three more loads that size before we feel secure for the winter.

Comments

[equusmaximus.livejournal.com]

Wow... I haven't seen a Jameco catalouge in quite a long time. Guess it's time to pop over to their website and request a new one. :) I used to buy a lot of stuff from American Design Components, but I don't even know if they're still in business.

The weather here has been wet and cold as well, with today featuring a combination of wet snow and freezing rain. The forecase is calling for highs of +24c by Saturday, but I'll believe it when I see it. We also have to bring in another 100 bales of hay, but I have to go and get it myself, which basically means handling 200 bales. I just hope my back doesn't give out again. Here's hoping yours doesn't either!

[altivo.livejournal.com]

This came to 174 bales in the end. Since they had been stacked in storage rather than loaded right in the field, they were packed tightly in the wagon and more of them fit than in the usual load. We need at least two more loads that size. I have to say, I was pleased with the suppliers. The driver arrived punctually, was smiling and helpful, and the costs were as promised. They took our check without question, and were altogether cooperative.

[loriana.livejournal.com]

Interesting that I just received my Jameco catalog ... and found it unusual the cover... but unfortunately i set it aside until i read your post and it reminded me of it.
I am impressed to say the least. I looked through their catalog, and there are some things they are well priced on... some other things not so well (but then that is the case of all the companies)
Their consideration makes me wish to use them more in the future.

As for libraries... yeah :( I hate to see what is happening to them... they are also becoming a victim of the internet I think. Strange that I dont use the library at all these days... I just tend to buy books. Of course i have a very narrow field of interests... foxes....electronics...metalworking...live steam.
I almost never read fictional works, and so my interest in going and browsing and selecting something that looks 'interesting' is ....not so much :/

[altivo.livejournal.com]

I hadn't had a Jameco print catalog for a while, but recently I wanted some rather peculiar memory chips for an old computer and thought of them first. Sure enough, they had them, and for a reasonable price too. So I ordered from the website and now I'm on the catalog mailing list again. They do seem to have almost everything that might be available, except maybe some parts for old vacuum tube equipment.

Libraries aren't just for fiction. I use them to get all kinds of obscure books on various topics.

[mondhasen.livejournal.com]

Our director has been panicking for three weeks over the expected loss of town funding. The State has told the town it will not be receiving the $300k it was due, and she believes we will take the largest hit. We've been busier than ever during this economic slump, yet the town leaders still view us as a diversion rather than a necessity.

The internet is no substitute for what we have to offer the public. True Reference research and aid goes well beyond googling a few terms and reading someone elses fourth tier sources on a topic. With our public computers, free wi-fi, meeting rooms, and 300,000+ books and assorted media available within the State (and having access to the books and media from most of the college libraries in the lower 48) it's a pretty sweet deal for the cost of a card... which is free.

And then there is that wonderful and ever-friendly Circulation Staff... :o)

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Alas, in Illinois the card isn't always free. People who live in no organized library district do not pay library taxes and therefore are required by state law to pay for a library card if they want one. You can imagine how much squawking that causes at times. They are the squeaky wheels who have earned no grease, so to speak.

People who do live in a library district are forced to pay library taxes whether they use the library or not. They are the ones entitled to really complain, but we never hear much complaint from them. Of course, they ought to get a card and use it, thus collecting the services they paid for in their taxes. But only about a third of those eligible for the "free" library card ever actually come to get one.

[hellmutt.livejournal.com]

If that electronics firm is telling the truth I almost want to buy something from them right now.

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Given my past experience with them, I have no reason to doubt their word on this. I imagine shipping to the UK would pretty much negate any advantage in buying from them, though.

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

I wonder if your Jameco is like our Jaycar or RS Electronics catalogues.