[Publib] Where would you put the director's office?

[Helen R]

In my currect position my office is located in the basement of a two story
building.  But in my past job as director of a small public I was located
close to the public service area which was nice and I did have doors to
close but no blinds.  The kicker was though staff and patrons alike used my
office as a cut through to the work area and the book sale room.  Many times
it was a constant parade and while I got use to it, it was disconcerting to
look up as Suzy Patron wandered through my office looking at whatever I was
working on.

HR

On Thu, Oct 2, 2008 at 2:36 PM, Lise Chlebanowski <
lchlebanowski at avondale.org> wrote:

>  One thing about blinds...keep in mind that more and more cities are
> implementing policies prohibiting the use of window coverings in managers
> offices so that a private meeting with a staff member has the possibility of
> becoming more public than one is expecting!
>
> Lisë Chlebanowski
> Library Manager
> Sam Garcia Western Avenue Library
> 495 E. Western Ave.
> Avondale, AZ   85323
> 623-333-2611 D
> 623-333-0260 F
> lchlebanowski at avondale.org
>
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>  ------------------------------
> *From:* publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:
> publib-bounces at webjunction.org] *On Behalf Of *Denise Johnson
> *Sent:* Thursday, October 02, 2008 6:08 AM
> *To:* Valerie Doyle; publib at webjunction.org
> *Subject:* Re: [Publib] Where would you put the director's office?
>
>  There are days I would locate my office in another state. However, after
> two libraries where my office was nearly impossible to find (by our
> patrons), I would like it closer to the action. I know that the front line
> staff take a lot of angry abuse (sometimes). If that could be turned to me
> more quickly, I could assist them more quickly.
>
> Also I think that our patrons would like to see staff actually working in
> the library. So an office (with vertical blinds open or closed as needed)
> would benefit the library. I also think I would be closer to our patrons and
> not so removed from the action.
>
> There are times during the year when you need some uninterrupted blocks of
> time and space. And you need some way to really close your office. I think
> you also need remote enough space where you can meet with staff for
> evaluations and everyone doesn't know whose turn it is. You need to be far
> enough away to deal with the occasional unpleasant staff/supervisor
> discussion. But you need to be close enough to handle an upset patron with
> privacy.
>
> So I vote for an office located on a "Lazy Susan" mechanism nearby when
> needed and secluded when necessary.
>
>
>
> This e-mail contains the thoughts and opinions of Denise Johnson and does
> not represent official Midland County Policy.
>
> Denise Johnson, County Librarian
> Midland County Public Library
> 301 W. Missouri Ave
> Midland, TX 79701
> Direct Phone:(432) 688-4333
> Fax: (432) 688-4939
> e-mail denise_johnson at co.midland.tx.us
> Main Library number (432) 688-4320
>
> >>> Valerie Doyle <librarylady1954 at hotmail.com> 10/2/2008 7:51 AM >>>
> Hi All,
>
> We are making some final plans for a remodeling project.  Currently, the
> director's office is located off the beaten path.  The current plans call
> for greatly enlarging the staff work area and making the director's office
> part of the new area allowing for an increase in the size of the local
> history/genealogy area.
>
> The staff thinks the local history/genealogy area is large enough for the
> next five years or so.
> They also think the director's office would take too much of "their" space.
>
> The director (me) thinks we really need a larger local history/genealogy
> area.
> The director would like to be closer to where the staff works.
> The director, while acknowledging that the staff does need a much larger
> work area, does not think they need as much as they are proposing.
>
> Most of the public library managers or directors that I have know would
> like their offices closer to where the action is.
>
> I'd love to hear from others on where you would locate a director's office,
> given a choice, and why.  The collective wisdom from both sides of the coin
> (staff and supervisory types) would be much appreciated.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Valerie
> Pontiac, IL
> 12,000 sq feet library space
> Population 12,000
>
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