[Publib] RE: Fair Librarian Salaries

[James Casey]

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Crowley, Bill
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 1:03 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] RE: Fair Librarian Salaries


Excerpt:

"As a service profession we really don't do a good job making our case
and this failure is a management failure. (As a former manager, I really
believe that all library problems are management problems at one level
or another.) Schools can get as much as 60% plus of all local tax
dollars for their operations. That reality can generally be traced to
the fact that schools embody local aspirations and hopes. Education, in
the U.S. context, is generally equated with success. There is also the
fact that the national teacher's organizations do a great job of
reminding former students just how much their P-12 teachers meant to
them."
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Dr. Crowley's astute, thoughtful insights bring us back to the
central issue of how "education" is confined within the 
definitions applied by those in control of the K-12 public 
school power structure.  Those who value independent research
and thinking -- beyond the realms of the text book, lecture
and "spoon feeding" of the classroom -- must look to higher 
education for a model where comprehensive library service in 
support of the learning is prized.  We are living in 
a time when many potent political forces are clearly 
"anti-intellectual" and apt to discourage such things as 
research findings contradictory to the government position 
on everything from global warming to the military capability of 
"evil" nations.  In public school environments where hall
passes, discipline and libraries that close at 3 PM are
prized above independent thinking, it isn't difficult for me
to see where the appeal of anti-intellectualism finds 
fertile ground and where the marginally literate speeches 
of our current President gain acceptance.  

Money and political clout can give rise to much in the way
of positive and comments from grateful, influential persons.
When was the last time a sitting President of the United 
States spoke before an ALA Annual Conference and lauded
the contributions made by Libraries?  They do it regularly
before the NEA.  Campaign contributions and hundreds of
thousands of campaign workers at election time can make
a real difference.  With that kind of money and clout
it might not be that difficult to market our cause.  On
the other hand, school levies and referenda often fare
much worse than library issues at election time, and for
all of the cumulative effect of extortionate strikes and
"save our schools" referendums to boost salaries and
create red ink budgets, the taxpayers are still able to
detect and support the positive and fiscally reasonable
services provided by public libraries.  

James B. Casey --- My own views
Public Librarian and Councilor-at-Large