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I want to be in the Spotlight!
Spotlight on the SirsiDynix–ALA-APA Award for Outstanding Promotion of the Salaries and Status of Library Workers—Alachua County Library District, Florida: Use Your Library’s Strengths and Plan Incremental Tasks Leading Toward Raising Salaries and Recruiting Minorities
By Veronica Chawla
In April, May and June we will feature the winners of the 2007 SirsiDynix–ALA-APA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Promoting Salaries and Status for Library Workers. This month we highlight the Alachua County (Florida) Library District. Sol Hirsch, Director of ACLD, is largely responsible for the innovative and positive changes for the library district’s employees. Under Hirsch, the Alachua County Library District significantly raised the base pay of library workers. the library also initiated an innovative program of minority recruitment that will result in the staff reflecting the diversity statistics of the entire county.
Library Worklife had the pleasure of interviewing the library district’s Director, Sol Hirsch. Interviews with winners Connie Vinita Dowell of San Diego State University and Theresa McMahan of the Sullivan County Library System in Blountville, Tennessee, will be in future issues. MORE
Opelousas, LA, Library System to Keep Board Pay Raises
Original article by Jacqueline Cochran, Daily World (Opelousas, Louisiana), March 2, 2007
The Opelousas Board of Aldermen’s salary raise, approved last August, is going to the city’s public library system as directed.
City comptroller Elaine Hudspeth reported Wednesday that the 2.5 percent plus 50 cents per hour raise approved by the prior board provides the library system with an additional $11,523 per year.
The prior Board of Aldermen voted to give their raises to the library after being criticized for taking the raises when they receive a minimum $20,000 a year in compensation. MORE
Cutbacks Likely at Amherst, MA, Library
Original article by Diane Lederman, Springfield Republican (MA), March 11, 2007
The Jones Library planned to make up a $68,000 budget gap by cutting back staff hours and reducing hours at branch libraries, along with other budget saving measures. Trustees instead decided to eliminate a part-time position, reduce the materials and ESL program budgets and raise funds to make up for the shortfall. The library budget is funded by the town, state aid to libraries and the system’s endowment. Kathleen Wang, President of the Library Trustees, said the library has had trouble keeping up with the rising health insurance costs which now exceed the materials budget. MORE
I want to write about Career Advancement!
No Change Spared: The Art of Transitioning Gracefully
By Chris Langer, User Services Librarian, Tennessee State University Library
I learned a lesson about life transitions when I left a position in Salem, WV, to accept a job in Nashville, TN. The cities are 500 miles, and a whole world, apart. In Salem (population 2,500), you lose cell phone reception if you go a few miles from the four-lane highway, and about a mile out of town, cable TV disappears. In Nashville, however, cell phones and cable are as ubiquitous as guitar-shaped salt and pepper shakers. I was disoriented by the change, but I found that I could greatly ease this transition by maintaining a regular schedule. I performed the same tasks, in the same order, every day. Life, if rigid, fell into a soothing rhythm. I maintained my self-imposed schedule until I felt more comfortable in my new home. MORE
Association of Research Libraries Library Management Skills Institute I: The Manager Is June 6-8, 2007
During three intensive days, participants in this Association of Research Libraries’ core learning event explore essential aspects of effective leadership and management. Aimed at helping supervisors, team leaders and middle managers within libraries, media centers or information technology units, this institute helps individuals hone the skills needed in new environments where decision making is distributed throughout the organization and coaching and influencing are expected functions of the manager or team leader. MORE
I want to write about HR Law!
Equal Pay Day on Capitol Hill
The Paycheck Fairness Act—H.R. 1338, S.766—was reintroduced on March 6, 2007, by sponsors Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and Congresswoman Rose DeLauro (D-CT). The Fair Pay Act will be reintroduced on Equal Pay Day, April 24, and supporters of the Fair Pay Act will be at the Equal Pay Day Rally that day on Capitol Hill from 1:30–2:30 p.m. MORE
I want to write about HR Practice!
Which Is More Motivating: Individual or Group Employee Incentives?
By Bob Nelson, Nelson Motivation, Inc.
Reprinted with permission.
One of the chief “head‑scratchers” for me is developing a worthwhile employee incentive program. I believe in them and know they are important, but because each employee is motivated by different things, it is difficult to come up with one that satisfies all. Which is more motivating: group or individual incentives? And what is a good starting place for each? Thanks.
—Still Scratching, principal, services, Renton, Washington
What motivates employees today does vary somewhat from person to person. You can take some of the mystery out of your search for a worthwhile employee incentive program by discussing the topic with your employees and seeing what things motivate each of them. MORE
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want to write about Recruitment!
The Time Has Come, the Walrus Said...: Stepping through the Looking Glass of Career Librarianship
By Eva Anderson
The time has come, the Walrus said, to talk of many things… In my case the walrus came last spring to talk about career options, the value of my life as a professional and just what to do next.
I was blindsided when my Colorado school district announced—in mid-April—that my job was to be cut at the end of the 2006 school year. For six years I had served as the high school “Library Manager”; before that I was a library aide in the elementary school in the same district. I quickly determined that plodding along with my own academic progress was not enough. MORE
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want to write about Salaries & Pay Equity!
The 2006 SLJ Spending Survey
By Marilyn L. Shontz and Lesley S. J. Farmer
The average salary for Library Media Specialists (LMSs) is rising, according to the latest School Library Journal Spending Survey. The average salary reported in the data, which was collected in 2005, was $48,000 for elementary LMSs and $50,000 for middle, junior and high school LMSs. The 2002 averages were $43,000 for elementary and around $48,000 for those working with older children. MORE
Dear Mr. Backwage
Today’s question comes from a young East Coast librarian: Because of our financial straits, my supervisor insists that I find volunteers to speak at book talk events. I am a public sector union member. Can they require this of me?MORE
Former Union Employees at Bay County Library System (MI) Say Board Is Breaching Contract by Allowing Volunteers and Non-Union Staff to Do Their Work
Original article by Ryan J. Stanton, Bay City Times (MI), March 29, 2007
In December 2006, 120 workers were laid-off from the Bay County Library System when significant financial shortfalls were suffered due to millages not passing. More than $3 million was cut from the budget, which necessitated the elimination of staff and closing of two libraries. Workers like Denise Dansereau accused the Board of violating their union contract with the plan to hire non-union pages and one library assistant, who is a member of Utility Workers Union of America Local 542, to handle some of the workload. MORE
WAGE Survey Still Needs Data
Last month Library Worklife covered the WAGE [Women Are Getting Even] Survey, which is soliciting data and stories from women across the country who may have experienced pay discrimination. The organization will release the collective national data on Equal Pay Day, April 24, 2007, and the findings from this survey will be posted on the web site (www.wageproject.org). MORE
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want to write about Staff Support!
I’m Loving It!
By Tanya Davis
Of course I had been to the library before. I remember trudging there after school to find books to assist me with reports. I remember meeting friends there to study. I remember using the computers to search for my first job after I had graduated from college. What I don’t remember is ever saying, “Gee! This would be a cool place to work!” But it is.
When I applied for a Programming Coordinator position at a local library, I knew that my previous work experience had prepared me for these responsibilities. But I was worried about potential co-workers. I wasn’t a librarian. What would I have in common with them? I don’t even really like to read! So, when I accepted the position, I didn’t know what I was in for. MORE
I want to write about Work/Life!
National Library Workers Day: How Will Your Library Celebrate?
The Cabell County Public Library is proud of its workers. The Huntington, WV, library and its seven branches will decorate with National Library Workers Day-themed balloons, banners, posters and bookmarks. The libraries will treat each staff member to a $10 restaurant gift certificate, and they will provide punch and cookies for both staff and the public. The local newspaper will publish an article about the Cabell County Public Library and its services. And each library worker will wear a pin to remind the public that “Libraries Work Because We Do!” MORE |
