[Publib] jobs and pay (continued)

[Rebecca Bronson]

Sadly, this situation will continue as long as two factors remain: we consistently fail to be better advocates for ourselves, and largely we as a nation want services, but don't want to pay for them. The nation has been brainwashed into believing that there is a free lunch and that "no new taxes" will still afford us services. Republican state senator Russ Potts ran as an independent for governor in the last governor's race here in Virginia, and he was the only candidate who was willing to say, "ok, you want A, B and C, let's figure out how to pay for this." He got 2% of the vote in the general election. Meanwhile Northen Virginia remains snarled in traffic congestion, etc. But I digress.

Improving advocacy starts with your neighbors and friends: library users, who need to be encouraged to contact local and state officials to let them know that it really is ok to increase library funding. There is a considerable disconnect between the average citizen and his/her government. What needs to happen is a conversation. Not just hollering when they do something you don't like, but saying thank you when they do something you like and being supportive when they make a stand for you. It will take time to heal the wounds created by Ronald Reagan's "government is the enemy" rhetoric, but with effort and diaglogue, it can happen. It won't happen without effort and dialogue.

Stepping down off my soapbox now...

Just my two cents,
Rebecca Bronson 
Reference Librarian 
Handley Regional Library 
P.O. Box 1300 
Stephens City, VA  22655 

540-869-9000 (voice) 
540-869-9001 (fax) 

www.hrl.lib.state.va.us 

  -----Original Message-----
  From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]On Behalf Of Sue Kamm
  Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 6:08 PM
  To: Kathryn Bloomberg - Rissman; dan cawley; publib at webjunction.org
  Subject: RE: [Publib] jobs and pay (continued)


  The only job I can find that has an entry-level requirement of a master's degree is Urban and Regional Planner.  Here's a link to the Occupation Outlook Handbook discussion of the job:  http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos057.htm  




    -----Original Message----- 
    From: Kathryn Bloomberg - Rissman 
    Sent: Jan 16, 2007 5:57 PM 
    To: dan cawley , publib at webjunction.org 
    Subject: RE: [Publib] jobs and pay (continued) 


    I think it was Anne Turner from Santa Cruz P.L. who framed the problem well a few years ago.  HR departments compare salaries to other nearby agencies, since libraries have traditionally underpaid it is very difficult to get HR and City Managers and others who hold the pocketbooks to do more than that.  What should happen is that required qualifications and other required skills/education AND on the job duties should be compared to others within the organization and pay should be adjusted accordingly.  Unfortunately the attempt to get the discussion framed correctly is like beating one’s head against the wall or … Every year before budget time and before labor negotiations I try to engage the powers that be in this discussion but alas my head just hurts from the beating it takes.  I think as long as we can fill the position eventually there is not much we can do to change this.  I also know that public safety is screaming about the same things, only in their case here, the salaries and benefits are less than our neighbors so they can’t fill their openings and thus will probably get the lion share of raises and benefits once again.



    Kathy Bloomberg-Rissman

    Director

    Upland Public Library

    Upland, CA


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    From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of dan cawley
    Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 2:28 PM
    To: publib at webjunction.org
    Subject: [Publib] jobs and pay (continued)



    i hold the greatest respect for l.a. county librarian M.D. Todd and her battle for decent salaries for library workers.  i wish her well.



    it has been my experience that management tends to get handsomely taken care of while the rank and file suffer.  



    library salaries are great unless you want to buy a house, feed your family, or have disposable income.



    it's a shame that such wonderful places pay so poorly.  i can think of nowhere else i would rather work than a public library.  my salary, however, is an embarassment.



    that's some catch, that catch-22.



    dan cawley

    seaside public library

      


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Your friendly CyberGoddess and Councilor-at-large,
Sue Kamm
Inglewood/Los Angeles, CA
Truest of the Blue, Los Angeles Dodgers Think Blue Week 2000
Visit my blog:  http://suekamm.blogspot.com
email:  suekamm [at] mindspring.com
When you absolutely, positively HAVE to know, ASK A LIBRARIAN!
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