[Publib] Perplexed Librarian 2007 – Part Two

[Gerald Ward]

In my previous post I discussed the way staff felt working for the Executive 
Staff of the large public Library in Sacramento.  Many of them “feel” 
(subjectively and emotionally) devalued by those making the long-term 
decisions.  This has caused one of three actions: many staff have left for 
other work or retirement; many staff signed a petition of No-Confidence; the 
rest of the staff are not sufficiently worked up about the circumstance to 
abide in either of the first two camps.  In this post I would like to 
briefly discuss the staffing issues at the Library.  Staffing impacts two 
specific areas; safety and customer service.  This post will deal with the 
safety and security issue.

First, some history.  On April 18, 1993, two of my friends and colleagues, 
both Librarians, were shot and murdered on the 3rd floor of the main 
library.  Consequently, I am extremely conscious of the environment and 
aware of the people with me on the floor.  Several years ago, the Library 
began recruiting for a head of Security position at the main Library.  They 
almost eliminated that position before hiring anyone.  Line staff presented 
evidence that our “customers” regularly entered the building carrying 
concealed weapons, which, thankfully, changed Administration’s mind.  They 
hired a retired deputy sheriff.  His presence and expertise has kept many 
dangerous incidents from escalating out-of-control.

In my opinion, the number of staff at the main Library and in the branches 
has fluctuated from inadequate to barely sufficient.  Bluntly stated, there 
is not enough line staff to adequately work the hours the Library is open to 
the public.  Executive staff would rather put the money into hiring 
consultants than in serving the public.  More on this later.  If you ask 
them they will tell you that most of the branches and the main Library are 
fully staffed.

Within the last three years, staff have been verbally and physically 
assaulted and battered, staff and patrons have been solicited for 
prostitution, been threatened by people flashing concealed weapons where the 
police were called, arson, theft, gang activity, sexual assault, etc., and 
mentally challenged people, on a daily basis.  There have been fights over 
the Internet, name calling, accusations, and people wandering around either 
high, drunk or off their meds.  This is true throughout the branches and the 
main Library.

Some of our branches have opened to the public with a single, part-time, 
substitute Library Assistant on the premises.  At other times, Branches have 
been left in the (truly) capable hands of a single, part-time substitute 
Librarian.  Most of the staff in the branches are not trained to deal with 
criminal activity.  There have been evenings at the main Library, where 
there was a single full-time Librarian staffing the 2nd, 3rd and 4th floors. 
(I have done this.)  The probability of reportable incidents occurring on a 
daily basis throughout the system is high.  Executive staff’s response to 
these circumstances is profoundly heartbreaking.  The attitude is to look at 
long-term fixes without addressing the actual and immediate problem.  In 
every case, it takes them a long time to implement any solution, even 
temporary solutions.

Two years ago we, at the main Library,  asked Executive Staff to either give 
us more staff or trim open hours.  We gave them all of the reasons why these 
changes were needed.  There has been no improvement.

I am perplexed.  Should I not be thinking of the safety and security of the 
staff and people in the Library?  Is this a non-issue?  Is it morally 
justifiable to continue to allow staff to work in a place that is 
compromised and not secure?  Is it preferable to allow “customers” into a 
place were there is no staff, untrained staff, or inadequate staff?  Should 
Library’s still be considered “safe” places?

Gerald F. Ward
SPLibrarian at hotmail.com

_________________________________________________________________
PC Magazine’s 2007 editors’ choice for best Web mail—award-winning Windows 
Live Hotmail. 
http://imagine-windowslive.com/hotmail/?locale=en-us&ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migration_HM_mini_pcmag_0507