[Publib] A hard-hearted bunch

[Jim Sanderson]

Joe, well said.   


James W. Sanderson
Supervising Librarian
West Avenue Library
Newport News Public Library
2907 West Avenue
Newport News, Virginia. 23607
(757) 247-8505
(757) 247-2344
www.nngov.com/library

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Joe Schallan
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2007 4:09 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] A hard-hearted bunch

Publibbers,

I have to say I'm truly surprised at the beating Gerald Ward of Sacramento
Public Library is currently taking in this forum.  In fact, "shock"
may be a better word than "surprise."

I'm in no position to take sides in the dispute in Sacramento, nor would I
do so, but the complete lack of empathy here astonishes.

In 1992 a coworker and colleague (office next to mine) was gunned down in
the driveway of her home by an obsessional ex-boyfriend.
As near as we all could tell, I was the last person to talk with her:  We
chatted for ten minutes or so in the employee lunchroom before she headed
off home.  She was bright and had a lovely disposition, coupled with a
strong work ethic and desire to contribute.

Unlike Mr. Ward's situation, this didn't happen in the workplace, and yet I
can personally attest to how wrenching it was for all of us who worked with
her.  The next morning, our conference room was filled with 75 shocked
people, most weeping, including the vice-president in charge of our
division.
Not only was a young life (she was only 32 and about to complete her B.A.)
pointlessly snuffed out, but a fiance, a mother, and siblings were
devastated.

I can't imagine having two of my librarian colleagues gunned down at the
reference desk.  I'm fairly sure that, unlike Mr. Ward, I would not be able
to continue working in my library, and he and his colleagues who carried on
are to be commended in the highest terms.

I also offer my condolences to Mr. Ward and his colleagues for their loss.
I don't imagine they'll ever get over it, and I do imagine that no amount of
security will ever seem like enough.

I think in these circumstances a dismissive wave of the hand and the
assertion that "it is like this everywhere so get used to it"
shows appalling insensitivity.  No, it isn't like this everywhere and, no,
sorry, you can't get used to it.

Nor should you be expected to get used
to it.


Joe Schallan
Phoenix

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