[Publib] Bad Libraries

[Sue Kamm]

> [Original Message]
> From: Kate Wolicki <kathsuz at hotmail.com>
> To: <publib at webjunction.org>
> Date: 6/24/2007 7:11:59 PM
> Subject: [Publib] Bad Libraries
>
> Maybe you've worked in one, or heard about one, or there is one in your 
> neighborhood: Bad Libraries.  Places no one works...for long.  It might
be 
> employees, or the director, or the building, or the trustees, or the 
> community, but it's not worth a good librarian's time to take a job
there, 
> no matter the salary.
>
> What is it that drives good workers from an organization?

SK:  Attitude.  A director or manager who doesn't stand up  for staff. 
"The library user is always right" - no matter what the difficulty. 
Administrators who don't recognize that a front-line manager is causing the
problem.
>
> What can dedicated staff do to rehabilitate a library that's bleeding
good 
> people?  

SK:  Stage a coup?

>
> And after the library is Better, what can everyone do to fix the
library's 
> image and attract good staff again?  How can the library ensure that the 
> poisonous atmosphere will not return?  

SK:  Get the word out that there has been a change.  Make sure the New
Broom states openly (a) what the problems have been, (b) what is needed to
fix them, and (c) do it.
>
> I read articles about Bad City Libraries with atrocious management vs
staff 
> problems, or even staff vs public problems, and I wonder: is there
something 
> that can cause a turnaround without a whole new crew?  I have also seen 
> smaller libraries where one or two personalities somehow combine to
create 
> fiefdoms of misery where staff stay only because they can't afford to go.

> How on earth does all this happen, and how can employees at all levels 
> combat the rot?
SK:  It's not easy.  If the New Broom is from outside the library system,
s/he should observe the library's culture and see what's working well. Are
staff members empowered to make certain kinds of decisions - e.g., cutting
or eliminating fines owed?  Are youth services librarians encouraged to
visit schools, or do they prefer having classes come to the library?  


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!