Re: [Publib] Perplexed Librarian 2007 – Part One

Sat Jun 2 22:48:25 EDT 2007

Gerald;
You are fortunate to have a Union structure to sound from. There are
still "at will" work states, and Unions but for a few, are
non-existent. I have noticed within the public library field that
Directors can - although not always - be out of touch with staff
issues. I do think that happy or satisfied employees is important to
any organization. It is not an impossible thing to expect and it does
wonders for the organization as a whole. I agree that territory and
respect are key issues that cause friction between management.
Frustration and lack of power are other factors that ruin organization
moral and increase vacancies.
I once suggested to a group of Directors that local library
organizations should think about being more of advocates for
librarians beyond just pay.  I was looked at as if I were Hannibal
Lecter. "Unions" they sneared, ruin budgets - everything!!"
I never considered Unions, yet it seemed that Unions could well be the
boogey man to these directors. I explained further that having an
additional librarian advocating organization would stem the need for
Unions. Unions are the result of ignoring/not responding to the need
for employ advocacy.  That calmed them down - but it was a weird
experience for me.  I  was surprised at the us/them POV.
Fortunately, there are many great libraries where staff and
administration work well.
The result are great libraries that do oustanding job serving the
public. No one likes angry, sad librarians. Giving staff the
opportunity to simply air their concerns in an opne forum may help -
also having a plan of action - even if its one of patience, it gives
the staff control over their future and that might help.

On 6/2/07, Sue Kamm <suekamm at mindspring.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> > [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
>
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>

-- 
Karen Mahnk,
Reference Librarian
Lake Park Public Library
529 Park Avenue
Lake Park, Fl., 33403
561 881-3330 Fax: 561881-3336
kmahnk at lakeparkflorida.gov
www.lakepark-fl.gov