[Publib] Perplexed Librarian 2007 – Part One

[Sue Kamm]

> [Original Message]
> From: Gerald Ward <splibrarian at hotmail.com>
> To: <publib at webjunction.org>
> Date: 6/2/2007 11:08:11 AM
> Subject: [Publib] Perplexed Librarian 2007 – Part One 
>
> Three years ago I wrote about a number of perplexing, for me,
circumstances 
> occurring in the large public Library in Sacramento, California.  I have 
> worked for this Library for over 17 years.  Two years ago the staff at
the 
> main library signed a petition asking for the Executive Staff to fix a 
> number of staffing, safety and security issue the faced daily.  The
remedies 
> given were small and the problems still exist, even after continuing 
> discussion, and Union intercession.  In May of this year, a Petition of
No 
> Confidence was presented to the Board, signed by over 700 people, many
staff 
> in branches, many patrons and Friends of the Library, asking for the
removal 
> of the Director and Deputy Director of the Library.  This petition has 
> generated great discussion in a number of Librarian “blogospheres.”
>
> It is not my intent to answer the misconceptions presented in these
blogs.  
> They are written by people who have no intimate understanding of why the 
> petition was written, signed and presented to the Board.  Nor is it my 
> intent to whine or illicit sympathy.  If I did not want to work where I
am, 
> I would have left long ago.  Nor is it my intent to assassinate anyone’s 
> character, but to accurately describe the working conditions within the 
> Library system.  I am writing because I am still perplexed.  Are
Libraries 
> no longer considered valuable?  Are those who work in Libraries, whether 
> professional, para-professional, volunteers, and even those who shelve 
> materials, considered by any Library Management a valuable asset to 
> fulfilling the mission of their Library?  

SK:  How did your director arrive at his/her position?  Was s/he someone
from outside?  On his/her first day on the job, could s/he have directed
someone to the restrooms, drinking fountain, photocopy machines?  

Unfortunately, many library directors are appointed to their positions for
political reasons.  I can think of two directors from a minority group who
were probably appointed *because* they were minorities.  Staff in both
libraries were unhappy with the director.  One who moved on was replaced
with a person who literally rose through the ranks - from shelving books to
the top.  

>
> One of the main issues faced by the staff at the Library in which I work
is 
> the lack of value felt by staff from those Executives who make management 
> decisions.  Feeling valuable is individually subjective and emotional.  
> Staff signed the petition because they perceived the two Executive Staff 
> mentioned held no respect for their individual expertise and experience, 
> were not listened to, were patronized or out-and –out ignored.  Executive 
> Staff decided to implement a philosophy of public service, and will not 
> allow any staff to dissuade them.  Executive staff appear lead by a 
> philosophy of malevolent dictatorship, unapproachable and viewed as angry 
> toward line staff.  Under this impression, staff have grown afraid of 
> retaliation, so they don’t speak out. (I have spoken out on several
issues, 
> and been heard.  However, my personality does not like being ignored when
I 
> speak on important points, even when there is dissention.  Plus, I’m a
Union 
> Shop Steward.)  In their eyes, retaliation has come in the form of forced 
> transfers, change of scheduled hours, having duties taken away from them, 
> and forced retirement. The consequence is an exodus of staff, forced into 
> retirement, finding other jobs, or just plain quitting … leaving.  Over
the 
> last two years there has been a 25 percent vacancy rate.  This Library 
> system has hemorrhaged well-trained and dedicated staff, along with the 
> dross.
>
> Is this normal for Library Systems around the country?  Do Library
Directors 
> tend to not relate to their line staff?  Is there fear in other systems
of 
> retaliation?  Am I missing something?  Do I need to change the way I
think 
> about Libraries?

A general-interest magazine I read frequently had an article on anger.  The
author said there were essentially two reasons underlying anger.  One was
territorial and the other was disrespect.  Sadly, too many administrators
make disrespect for their staff a basis on how to act.  

I assume there is documentation for all your concerns -- how they were
presented and management's response. How is the library board chosen?  Do
they make policy or are they simply advisory?  Are their actions subject to
review by another authority - city council, mayor?  

If you have not already done so, take your concerns to the media.  Are you
aware of any reporters for print and other media who would be interested in
your story?  

Are you a local of a larger union such as AFSCME orf SEIU?  Would other
unions representing workers in your jurisidction join library workers in
picketing or informational leafleting at places people frequent?  (Shopping
centers, grocery stores, etc.)  

IMNSHO, your managers are showing themselves as poor stewards of the
public's taxes.  That might be a line to take in getting your message to
the public.

FWIW.

Your friendly neighborhood CyberGoddess and re-elected ALA Councilor at
Large, 
Sue Kamm
Email: suekamm[at]mindspring.com
Los Angeles Dodgers Truest of the Blue, 2000
Visit my blog:  http://suekamm.blogspot.com
Thanks to all who voted for me