Francis Perkins and Social Security

The Francis Perkins Center launched a website, Social Security Stories, about the origins and legacy of the Social Security Act of 1935. It provided benefits to retirees, the disabled and the unemployed. She accomplished a lasting legacy in the history of social welfare.

Francis Perkins was the first woman appointed to the U.S. Cabinet. She completed her undergraduate work at Mount Holyoke College and graduate work (economics and sociology) at Columbia University. In her work experiences, she visited settlement houses and engaged in progressive causes. She advocated vigorously for better labor conditions In the U.S. Cabinet, she played a key role in drafting landmark New Deal legislation, such as social security, child labor regulation, minimum wage laws, and unemployment insurance. In 1980, the Francis Perkins Building (Department of Labor headquarters) was commemorated in her honor.

Since the 1930s, Social Security has gradually moved toward universal coverage. Changes in Social Security have reflected a balance between promoting equality and efforts to provide adequate protection. This includes underserved populations, such as the disabled and minority groups.

The Death of Library Schools?

There is a very interesting discussion on the blog thread, "The Death of Library Schools" by Will Manley. So far, there are 162 posts on the topic.

These are very dark days in the library world. Skilled and experienced librarians are being terminated, unqualified people are now staffing public service desks (where public service desks still exist), and reference services are being surrendered to Google.

If our profession is going to survive, we need strong library schools. If the library schools die, the profession will die. If the profession dies, libraries will die.

What are your feelings on the future of library schools? Is the iSchool movement the future or should traditional library schools stay intact? Should there be more emphasis on vocational training or a liberal arts education?

LATimes: Op-Ed on U.S. Public Libraries

The Los Angeles Times has an op-ed about the decline of school and public libraries in the United States. The bad economy has forced many school districts and local governments cut back in funding. Librarians and other service-oriented professions are among the first to receive pink-slips and shutdowns. This is sad news when such services are most critical for needy children and families:

The U.S. is beginning an interesting experiment in democracy: We're cutting public library funds, shrinking our public and school libraries, and in some places, shutting them altogether...

Libraries are an essential service in action, as well as an effective leveler of privilege and avenue of reinvention. As budget cuts affect more facilities, children will be the first to suffer.