Re: [Publib] Perplexed Librarian 2007 – Part Two

[David King]

Is it possible there's more than one side to the story? I'd love to hear
what "the other side" (ie., the "executive staff") has to say, too. For
example, in the past I worked at a library where front-line staff said much
the same thing - they didn't feel safe. But that was mainly because some of
their customers happened to be homeless people, and the staff got slightly
wigged out when there were groups of people hanging around waiting for PCs
(right behind the reference desk).

There's obviously SOMETHING going on in Sacramento... but from what I've
read, some of the many problems there are not one-sided problems.

David

On 6/3/07, Gerald Ward <splibrarian at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> 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
>
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-- 
David King
davidleeking.com - blog
http://davidleeking.com/etc - videoblog
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