I've decided to ressurect my blog.
Previously, this blog was actually an online bulletin board for the libraries in my district. It was geared towards the library directors and I posted all meeting dates, events, links to grants, resources, pictures from trainings... It was also a great place to reiterate "best practices" and bad behaviors and, well... to just vent. My way of trying to "fight the good fight" in libraryland.
The state library's Compendium is a great sources for all the "serious" stuff. And, everyday seems to be full of emails, meetings, deadlines and "serious stuff".
Hoping to divert from my previous soapbox to focus on things that are different, unusual, not the "same-old, same old".
It will be a work in progress.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Monday, January 2, 2012
Disclosure
When you sell a house you are legally obligated to "disclose" problems or issues with the property. You actually have to sign a disclosure statement.
What about when a library board hires a new director? I'm wondering about the "disclosures" required when discussing the position with interview candidates. Shouldn't the board disclose financial challenges, building issues as well as any other problems?
A recent new hire at a local library had "no idea" what she was getting herself into when she was hired. None of the library's building issues or financial challenges were disclosed. The board's "excuse" was that they "didn't know".
Can a library board "get away with" saying "they didn't know"? If a library board is oblivious to the state of a library's financial affairs and/or building issues, then isn't it fair to say that they have violated the Pennsylvania law of "Duty of Care" as a non-profit board?
The Attorney General's Nonprofit Booklet is available online. Since library boards tend to "do" whatever they please, I am encouraging any and all library director candidates interviewing for positions in Pennsylvania to read this booklet and ask the recommended questions at your job interviews.
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/uploadedFiles/Consumers/nonprofitbooklet.pdf
In addition, ask to see the library's annual audit, annual report, and annual budget (previous year/current year) and at least a year's worth of board meeting minutes. It wouldn't hurt to check the local newspaper for any PR--positive or negative. Do an extensive tour of the library before your interview. Make a list of building issues and potential issues. Do your homework BEFORE you are interviewed and don't forget that the interview is "two-way". "Interview" the board/search committee about fiduciary, policy and building concerns. If you don't, you may find yourself not only in over your head, but hired under false pretenses. You will be stuck in a job you will most surely hate with a board you can't trust.
What about when a library board hires a new director? I'm wondering about the "disclosures" required when discussing the position with interview candidates. Shouldn't the board disclose financial challenges, building issues as well as any other problems?
A recent new hire at a local library had "no idea" what she was getting herself into when she was hired. None of the library's building issues or financial challenges were disclosed. The board's "excuse" was that they "didn't know".
Can a library board "get away with" saying "they didn't know"? If a library board is oblivious to the state of a library's financial affairs and/or building issues, then isn't it fair to say that they have violated the Pennsylvania law of "Duty of Care" as a non-profit board?
The Attorney General's Nonprofit Booklet is available online. Since library boards tend to "do" whatever they please, I am encouraging any and all library director candidates interviewing for positions in Pennsylvania to read this booklet and ask the recommended questions at your job interviews.
http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/uploadedFiles/Consumers/nonprofitbooklet.pdf
In addition, ask to see the library's annual audit, annual report, and annual budget (previous year/current year) and at least a year's worth of board meeting minutes. It wouldn't hurt to check the local newspaper for any PR--positive or negative. Do an extensive tour of the library before your interview. Make a list of building issues and potential issues. Do your homework BEFORE you are interviewed and don't forget that the interview is "two-way". "Interview" the board/search committee about fiduciary, policy and building concerns. If you don't, you may find yourself not only in over your head, but hired under false pretenses. You will be stuck in a job you will most surely hate with a board you can't trust.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
State of Despair
At a recent gathering of district library directors a significant portion of conversation included the "state of despair" that is Pennsylvania. Most specifically, as it applies to hourly wages and salary levels for librarians. Not to mention the lack of a state retirement system or health care.
One library director, when asked if she had filled a recent part-time position said that "yes, she had; however, it was a challenge as most people told her they could make more on unemployment". Terrific!
Two library director colleagues in PA (opposite sides of the state) have recently accepted positions in neighboring states. The positions they have accepted put Pennsylvania to shame (in every way imaginable). If you are a Pennsylvania librarian, when was the last time you received a standing ovation? What about a salary level that reflects the professional responsibilities of the position for which you were hired? Does your job description have more pages than your salary has zeros?
The PA Library Association DOES have recommended salaries.
"On March 22, 1996, the PaLA Board of Directors endorsed a new structure of minimum salaries and benefits for library staff. This new policy builds on the minimum salary policy established by the Board, and last updated for inflation in 2010. These recommended salaries have been adjusted by 2010’s CPI increase of 1.6 %." Salaries:
One library director, when asked if she had filled a recent part-time position said that "yes, she had; however, it was a challenge as most people told her they could make more on unemployment". Terrific!
Two library director colleagues in PA (opposite sides of the state) have recently accepted positions in neighboring states. The positions they have accepted put Pennsylvania to shame (in every way imaginable). If you are a Pennsylvania librarian, when was the last time you received a standing ovation? What about a salary level that reflects the professional responsibilities of the position for which you were hired? Does your job description have more pages than your salary has zeros?
The PA Library Association DOES have recommended salaries.
"On March 22, 1996, the PaLA Board of Directors endorsed a new structure of minimum salaries and benefits for library staff. This new policy builds on the minimum salary policy established by the Board, and last updated for inflation in 2010. These recommended salaries have been adjusted by 2010’s CPI increase of 1.6 %."
-
$20,403- Full time (35 hours or more/wk) support staff member
-
$36,050 – New full-time professional librarian
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$55,237– Full-time librarian who supervises at least three professional librarians
Thursday, December 8, 2011
35 Reasons to LOVE Your Library!
I put this togther for the Off The Shelf program:
35 Reasons to LOVE YOUR LIBRARY by Melinda Tanner, MLS, District Consultant
1. Get the answer to a question online 24/7 with Ask Here PA. www.askherepa.org
2. Find auto repair help or a biography for a favorite author with POWER. www.powerlibrary.net
3. Get expert help! (Librarians are the original search engine.)
4. Use the library Internet PC's to check your email, look for a job, book a flight...
5. Stay on top of current events, news, trends or popular culture through newspapers and magazines.
6. Check out the latest bestseller.
7. Tackle that home improvement project with help from a "how-to" book or DVD.
8. Enjoy story time with your child/grandchild.
9. Find resources to help with homework, science projects and term papers.
10. Research your family tree either in the library or online with Heritage Quest.
11. Research your community's local history.
12. Find an old obituary.
13. Borrow a book from another library.
14. Return a book that belongs to another library.
15. Catch up on "the classics".
16. Learn a new language.
17. Save money by borrowing: books, books-on-CD, Playaways, DVD's, music CD's, magazines.
18. Plan a vacation with a travel guide.
19. Identify and price a family heirloom/antique.
20. Take a practice test for: SAT/ACT; Military (ASVAB); Post Office; Corrections; Nursing; Teaching (PRAXIS) with TERC (Testing and Education Reference Center). www.washingtoncountylibraries.org
21. Use the library's Wi-Fi.
22. Find out how to replace your lost birth certificate, marriage license, or S.S. card.
23. Get Federal Forms: IRS Tax forms; rent rebates, FAFSA forms.
24. Find out how to stuff and cook your first Thanksgiving turkey.
25. Use the book drop to return items when the library is closed.
26. Check your library account online. (The "regional one card" will allow you to not only check your account, but renew items and place reserves on books at other libraries.)
27. "Learn how" in the how-to section: cooking, playing the guitar, making a quilt, building a shelf...
28. Rediscover your favorite poem.
29. Use a library computer to update your resume' or type a letter.
30. Read about people, places and cultures from all over the world.
31. Make copies or send a fax.
32. Add to your home library with great finds at the library's book sale.
33. Great "stay-cation" things to do: special events, unique fundraisers, programs, book clubs, author visits.
34. Need a place other than home or work? The library is that place!
35. And, as always, still...FREE.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Steve Jobs
Posting this as food for thought for libraries. We can learn a lot from Steve Jobs.
His message:
1. Do what you love
2. Put a dent in the universe
3. Sell Dreams not products
4. Kick start your brain
5. Create insanely great experiences
6. Master the message
His message:
1. Do what you love
2. Put a dent in the universe
3. Sell Dreams not products
4. Kick start your brain
5. Create insanely great experiences
6. Master the message
Thursday, September 15, 2011
ARSL 2011
I have been attending the annual conference for the Association for Rural & Small Libraries since about 2000. I've missed only one since. Each year I say "it is the best conference I attend"--and that stands true for 2011.
This year the conference was held in Frisco, TX. (A newer, upscale community near Dallas that everyone wants to live.) Each year the conference is held in a different state. The intent is to build the membership and participation by moving it around to include a new regional group. This year's conference was very well attended (300 +) with over 30 states represented.
Next year's conference will be in Raleigh, NC and once again will attract a wide range of attendees from neighboring states as well as us "regulars".
It costs very little to join ARSL:
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/affiliates/affiliates/arsl.cfm
This year the conference was held in Frisco, TX. (A newer, upscale community near Dallas that everyone wants to live.) Each year the conference is held in a different state. The intent is to build the membership and participation by moving it around to include a new regional group. This year's conference was very well attended (300 +) with over 30 states represented.
Next year's conference will be in Raleigh, NC and once again will attract a wide range of attendees from neighboring states as well as us "regulars".
It costs very little to join ARSL:
- Library Staff Level 2 Membership (Library Staff making $15,000-$29,999 per year): $19
- Library Staff Level 1 Membership (Library Staff making $30,000 or more per year): $39
http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/affiliates/affiliates/arsl.cfm
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Librarianship IS a profession!
How many doctors you know shovel the sidewalks at the hospital?
How many bank presidents clean toilets or mop up after a toilet at the bank overflows?
How many attorneys wear jeans to work because they have to spend the day on their hands & knees disconnecting computers & equipment?
How many school teachers are paid minimum wage with no benefits?
How many of the members on a public library's board would work in a facility with inadequate heating and/or cooling and bathrooms rival to those found in an I-70 truck stop?
How many bank presidents clean toilets or mop up after a toilet at the bank overflows?
How many attorneys wear jeans to work because they have to spend the day on their hands & knees disconnecting computers & equipment?
How many school teachers are paid minimum wage with no benefits?
How many of the members on a public library's board would work in a facility with inadequate heating and/or cooling and bathrooms rival to those found in an I-70 truck stop?
Getting my point?
Someone please answer the question: why librarians? Why?
Who consciously decided that librarianship as a profession was equal to "servitude"?
Yesterday I spoke with a Master's Certified Professional Librarian that had been cleaning toilets. Today I spoke to a library assistant certified director that was setting traps to catch a mouse. I also learned of yet another area library without air conditioning.
If I polled each member of a library board "singly" outside the board room I'm certain they would be "appalled" , but something happens to the "collective" as they sit in the board room. What is the justification for substandard working conditions, inadequate pay and no benefits, not to mention the endless job descriptions. (You know the ones, you see them on PAMAILALL all the time: 3 pages of duties for a 20-hour-a-week minimum wage position.)
One of the main "charges" for a library board of trustees is to "secure adequate funds". Shame on the library board who is paying the staff a pittance, providing no benefits, providing no access to continuing education & professional development, expecting the staff to "pick up the slack" with regards to the building & maintenance, not allowing for sufficient staffing; not providing a safe and comfortable working environment.
Board members wouldn't work under those conditions. Why do they think it is okay for librarians?
Yesterday I spoke with a Master's Certified Professional Librarian that had been cleaning toilets. Today I spoke to a library assistant certified director that was setting traps to catch a mouse. I also learned of yet another area library without air conditioning.
If I polled each member of a library board "singly" outside the board room I'm certain they would be "appalled" , but something happens to the "collective" as they sit in the board room. What is the justification for substandard working conditions, inadequate pay and no benefits, not to mention the endless job descriptions. (You know the ones, you see them on PAMAILALL all the time: 3 pages of duties for a 20-hour-a-week minimum wage position.)
One of the main "charges" for a library board of trustees is to "secure adequate funds". Shame on the library board who is paying the staff a pittance, providing no benefits, providing no access to continuing education & professional development, expecting the staff to "pick up the slack" with regards to the building & maintenance, not allowing for sufficient staffing; not providing a safe and comfortable working environment.
Board members wouldn't work under those conditions. Why do they think it is okay for librarians?
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