80 replies to this topic

[mylo]

Why not spend $10k to train the supervisor up to the task? Then you've got a well trained person with experience (they're already there) and $10k in your pocket to buy more books (or ugly banks of computers).

[Dave Burrell]

Why not spend $10k to train the supervisor up to the task? Then you've got a well trained person with experience (they're already there) and $10k in your pocket to buy more books (or ugly banks of computers).

damn it mylo didn't I just ask you to stop being so darned logical - you'll never be able to be a politician with that kind of smart thinking

[daveman]

Why not spend $10k to train the supervisor up to the task? Then you've got a well trained person with experience (they're already there) and $10k in your pocket to buy more books (or ugly banks of computers).

So someone making $60,000 as a supervisor should need $10k in training. If I were going to pay someone $60,000 they better be well trained before they get the job. I think the real issue here is the structure of the library more then it is positions. From what I read I think the staff want a Library director making library decisions. Instead of who is currently making decisions. The article seemed to me that the staff was in complete agreement that the current structure is flawed and that by adding another supervisor it would remain flawed.

It would be nice, however, if there were staff members that could explain their position to better educate us instead of our guess work. The article was good but only shows a little of the full petition. So, yeah, If you know any staff tell them to join MyFolsom.com and speak their mind.

__Daveman the insane Caveman__

[mylo]

So someone making $60,000 as a supervisor should need $10k in training. If I were going to pay someone $60,000 they better be well trained before they get the job.

I assume you mean "should NOT need $10k", otherwise I'm confused. I understand the $60k supervisor was trained as a supervisor, not a director job. The $10k is to train them as a director, an obviously different position.

I think the real issue here is the structure of the library more then it is positions. From what I read I think the staff want a Library director making library decisions. Instead of who is currently making decisions. The article seemed to me that the staff was in complete agreement that the current structure is flawed and that by adding another supervisor it would remain flawed.

Okay, that's why they're getting rid of the supervisor position. But why not just move the supervisor position to be a director? With $10k in training? And use the other $10k (per year) to buy books and computers? I'm confused again.

It would be nice, however, if there were staff members that could explain their position to better educate us instead of our guess work. The article was good but only shows a little of the full petition. So, yeah, If you know any staff tell them to join MyFolsom.com and speak their mind.

Yeah, that'd be nice too.

[Gwyneth]

I totally agree and was unaware until this article hit the Telegraph that we didn't have credentialed leadership at the helm of the library. Does anyone know if the library staff will take their petition public?

The staff did take the petition public, by submitting it to the mayor and city council during budget deliberations. It thus became part of the public record, available to anyone who asks. That's probably how the Telegraph got it.

Oh, but maybe you meant "take public" in the sense of get citizens to sign it? Anybody who knows how to use a computer can email their opinions to the mayor and city council any time ... their addresses are on the city website ... though I hear some at least are intercepted by admin staff.

[Gwyneth]

So someone making $60,000 as a supervisor should need $10k in training. If I were going to pay someone $60,000 they better be well trained before they get the job. I think the real issue here is the structure of the library more then it is positions. From what I read I think the staff want a Library director making library decisions. Instead of who is currently making decisions. The article seemed to me that the staff was in complete agreement that the current structure is flawed and that by adding another supervisor it would remain flawed.

It would be nice, however, if there were staff members that could explain their position to better educate us instead of our guess work. The article was good but only shows a little of the full petition. So, yeah, If you know any staff tell them to join MyFolsom.com and speak their mind.

__Daveman the insane Caveman__

There may well be staff members contributing to this discussion. Perhaps they want to speak their minds but fear reprisal. Perhaps there has already been harrassment that contributed to plea for new leadership.

I read the article the same as you, daveman. Management doesn't take criticism well, especially when it's voiced in public. Staff would have to be pretty desperate and brave to risk their jobs, benefits and security by taking such drastic action. But extraordinary circumstances require extraordinary action. Let's just hope the circumstances are extra-ordinary and not the status quo.

I for one have no reason to doubt the staff's motives, other than the desire to provide the best library services possible.

[Dave Burrell]

There may well be staff members contributing to this discussion. Perhaps they want to speak their minds but fear reprisal. Perhaps there has already been harrassment that contributed to plea for new leadership.

I for one have no reason to doubt the staff's motives, other than the desire to provide the best library services possible.

thats pretty much who I(we) assumed you and daveman were....

[daveman]

I assume you mean "should NOT need $10k", otherwise I'm confused. I understand the $60k supervisor was trained as a supervisor, not a director job. The $10k is to train them as a director, an obviously different position.
Okay, that's why they're getting rid of the supervisor position. But why not just move the supervisor position to be a director? With $10k in training? And use the other $10k (per year) to buy books and computers? I'm confused again.
Yeah, that'd be nice too.

I did mean "should not" sorry about that. Looking at the budget though there is already the Library Manager position at something like $80,000, the one the staff criticizes.

thats pretty much who I(we) assumed you and daveman were....

That would be nice but no cigar. At least for me.

Edited by daveman, 20 June 2006 - 08:38 PM.

[Gwyneth]

No cigar for me either. I am a friend of the library though, go there often, and have friends who work there. I've been following the trials and tribulation for awhile now. I am also familiar with the city structure and how it works, have watched with interest the departure of Martha Lofgren and the aftermath.

I emphathize with the library staff. They are good people who only want the best for the library and its public.

[Gwyneth]

The Telegraph came out with a new article about the situation at the library today. Looks like the Commission is hedging its bets. The reporter is still woefully sloppy about his facts. Among other mistakes, he says the new building will be 33,000 square feet. That's actually the combined size of the building now under construction and the branch planned for the new HS. The building in City Park is 24,000 square feet I believe.

[ducky]

Just out of curiosity, what's the new price tag for both libraries combined?

I know it started out at $8.5 million and last I saw it was up to $13 million for the location currently under construction.

[ducky]

Really? Nobody knows the current total it will cost for the construction of both libraries?

[Gwyneth]

Just out of curiosity, what's the new price tag for both libraries combined?

I don't know the cost for either library building. I do know the price of certain commodities is blamed for driving the original estimates way up.

I also know the city council set aside almost $1,000,000 for collections for the two libraries. The one at the 2d HS won't open until some time in 2008. None of that money has yet been spent for new books or other materials for the one in city park.

As for salaries for the management, the current manager is budgeted at more than $85,000 and the supervisor position at over $60,000. That does not of course include benefits, which are very expensive. The combined $145,000 would be more than enough to hire a good director for a competitive salary, with balance left for staff that are desperately needed to eliminate backlogs and keep up with service demands that are certain to increase in the new library.

[Robert Giacometti]

Really? Nobody knows the current total it will cost for the construction of both libraries?

ducky,

There was number origally given....I can't recall what it was but these projects generally have cost over runs and change orders that can increase the cost of construction. I suspect it will be over $15 million when its all done. As I recall the other Library is going to be joint use in conjunction with the new HS Vista Del Lago. I don't know where its at in the process.

This project is being funded by a revenue Bond paid by Redevolpment Agency. I never did understand how this project qualifies for RDA money. I know its in the RDA zone....but how is building a library in a park redevelopment? Hopefully this won't cause the City to loose any RDA capabilities.

Also, I'm still convinced we should have built ONE library and locate it centrally. When we go south of 50 we will have to build another so we will end up with 3, its gotta be more cost effective to operate one library than 3 stand alone facilities.

We will have a beautiful library when its completed!

[Gwyneth]

Also, I'm still convinced we should have built ONE library and locate it centrally.

Problem is, that target seems to keep moving!

We will have a beautiful library when its completed!

I just wish they hadn't eliminated the roof on that round thing. Looks like something is missing. Looks kinda like a modern-day Coliseum.
Also the outside brick looks a lot darker than the artist's rendering. The real thing looks a bit gloomy because the brick is so dark. And I don't think it's as big as it looks in the picture, with those little tiny ant-people strolling around.