[Publib] Director Selection

[Robert L. Balliot]

Greeting Sue,

 

It seems to me that having four directors in six years would be bad for

the library system, bad for the community, and bad for those directors.

Talk about being thrown out in the cold!

 

I think many directors would rather report to an individual rather than

a group.  I can also imagine many directors wishing that they reported

to a group rather than an individual.  There are many changeable human

dynamics to consider.  And, the fact is, people change - boards change,

mayors change, directors change, and the community changes. Change

is a constant no matter what the size of the population might be.

 

However, if you want to create an environment of stability so that you

can attract candidates to relocate to Alaska and provide some degree

of continuity of leadership without changing the structure of government,

I think that you can accomplish this with an employment contract.

 

If you created a three year, renewable contract for the Director position

with a buy-out clause, this could provide an incentive for a relocation

along with a disincentive for a political dismissal.  If the Mayor has

the ability to appoint and dismiss, it seems that it would also be

within his/her power to enter into a long-term contract.

 

Sincerely -

*************************************************

Robert L. Balliot

1-401-421-5763

Skype: RBalliot

Bristol, Rhode Island

http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm

*************************************************

  _____  

From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Sherif, Sue (EED)
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2007 5:08 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Director Selection

 

The library support group would like to hear from systems that serve over
250,000 people.  Currently their library director is chosen and dismissed by
the mayor.  The result is that there have been 4 directors in the last 6
years.  

 

 

Sue Sherif

Alaska State Library

344 West Third Avenue Suite 125

Anchorage, AK 99501

 

907-269-6569           Fax: 907-269-6580

800-776-6566           (Toll-free in Alaska)

 

sue.sherif at alaska.gov 

 

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