26 replies to this topic

[The Average Joe]

FCUSD is cutting all librarians next year.

Now if they could get rid of the union requirement that books may only be shelved by a librarian....we could keep them running with volunteers...

[the_professor]

Now if they could get rid of the union requirement that books may only be shelved by a librarian....we could keep them running with volunteers...

We finally agree!

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Now if they could get rid of the union requirement that books may only be shelved by a librarian....we could keep them running with volunteers...

Maybe if they call it a "book swap" instead of a "library" it can be staffed by volunteers.

[DavidH]

Now if they could get rid of the union requirement that books may only be shelved by a librarian....we could keep them running with volunteers...

Who, FCUSD or the city? FCUSD hasn't had librarians for many years. The union does have an issue with supplanting library clerks and library media technicians with volunteers, however.

[mac_convert]

FCUSD has had librarians, but they are no longer full-time. It looks like next year may be the first year we really don't have them.

Who, FCUSD or the city? FCUSD hasn't had librarians for many years. The union does have an issue with supplanting library clerks and library media technicians with volunteers, however.

[DavidH]

FCUSD has had librarians, but they are no longer full-time. It looks like next year may be the first year we really don't have them.

Incorect unless you're categorizing all library staff as "librarians."

Back to the point, the staff in FCUSD's (and the city's for that matter) libraries do an amazing job. It's much more than just checking out and re-shelving books.

[ducky]

Incorect unless you're categorizing all library staff as "librarians."

Back to the point, the staff in FCUSD's (and the city's for that matter) libraries do an amazing job. It's much more than just checking out and re-shelving books.

How many of those current school library staff are paid for through PTA funds (parents)?

[Robert Giacometti]

This Library closing was anticipated and predicted back in 2004, so it really shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone, now.

The city should have built the central Library on the Vacant land next to FHS and it could have served the entire community including S50. This site wasn't even on the list of sites that were considered as we later found out why.

The previous Administration was so far in over their head and was making strategic financial blunder after blunder on many issues. Sadly we in the community are now paying the price for this incomptency.

Everybody knew we were nearing buildout, so the gravy train of fees was going to end, the city had just granted the ill fated enhancements to the pension system, making them retro-active, without understanding the true costs and most experts were issuing warning about an upcoming housing bubble.

It was at this time the leadership at the city in their wisdom decided to tear out an existing ballfield and then go build another new one somewhere else and build not 1 new Library, but contribute to building another library and agreeing to contribute to staffing it when anyone with half a brain could see the financial clouds brewing on the Horizon.

I think its very important that we take a step back and understand how all this transpired, because I for one am NOT going to keep paying more and more for the incompetence making these decesions that put us in ths position.

[ducky]

Here is the reasoning behind the two libraries as I understood it.

The decision why the library was built on the Marshall C. Farley ball field in the Folsom City Lions Park was because they could use redevelopment funds to build it and the city already owned the property. It is also located in close proximity to an elementary school, and a majority of the council thought it would be a great addition to the already existing "city hall complex," it would attract visitors to the zoo, and it is centrally located for the ARC, central, and historic areas of Folsom. Of course, the original plan to build it in the vacated firehouse would have served all those purposes, too, and been far less expensive, but I shouldn't digress. This problem has to do with affording staffing.

As a matter of fact, one council member did suggest that other city-owned land be looked at rather than build on a memorial ball field. Problem was, the land next to the high school didn't fall within the redevelopment area. That land also didn't make sense since the high school currently had its own library. Another parcel that did fall into the redevelopment area wasn't really feasible, and that was the land that was recently sold for an affordable housing development.

The decision to locate the second library in conjunction with the high school was to have a library more accessible to those on the other end of town and SOI when it was developed. The idea was to share costs with the high school for staffing. Of course, with the FCUSD budget problems, that maybe isn't working out so well. Is the problem to do with the city having to take up slack, or is it solely the city's portion they are having trouble funding?

[the_professor]

I bet the city wishes they could get back the $500,000 they donated to the Three Stages project.

[The Average Joe]

I bet the city wishes they could get back the $500,000 they donated to the Three Stages project.

Did I wake up in bizarro world? You agree with me...i agree with you? Next thing you know, we'll be sitting around singing Kumbayah together...

[mac_convert]

Most if not all!

How many of those current school library staff are paid for through PTA funds (parents)?