The Duke Out
Introducing…in the blue corner…the IRB librarian--the single most-talked-about IRB city employee.
In the red corner, the IRB Pinellas County Sheriff, a little ragged and worn from battling to keep his job.
Ding. Ding. Ding. Go to your corners and come out swinging.
Euphemistically speaking, that was the scene at the final reading of the IRB 2008-2009 budget last Thursday, September 18th. Some will argue that it wasn’t a case of “either/or” at all when it came to deciding between keeping our police intact and/or keeping the full-time librarian. Maybe not, but that’s certainly how the community saw it. Perception usually is reality.
Last Thursday night's spectators saw firsthand what happens when piss-poor spending priorities and politics collide. The librarian survives another day…with only a modest reduction in her hours and only a small loss in her $20,000 books/supply budget.
All of you who showed up at the meeting to support the police managed to sway one vote--just enough to approve only a modest reduction in our protection. This was preferable to the more drastic cut approved at the first reading. Most citizens felt that NO REDUCTION whatsoever was warranted, but accepted the loss of a cop on the two weekdays of lesser police activity as a quasi-victory. (I could publish the “light police days” here, but prefer to let criminals-in-the-making guess!)
By contrast to the nearly packed house supporting the police, there was little public support for the librarian. Commissioner Valery pointed out the lack of grant money procured by the librarian thus far—allegedly the raison d’etre for her hiring in the first place.
One rather surprising development—several of longtime Friends of the Library (really lovely people, by the way) confided off-the-record that they feel the librarian is not an asset and has actually ruined “their” library. So, other than an allegiance to those who elected them, what could possibly be the reason that NOT ONE COMMISSIONER suggested giving the librarian the heave-ho? Even those this commission "pledges allegiance to" don't support her.
Introducing…in the blue corner…the IRB librarian--the single most-talked-about IRB city employee.
In the red corner, the IRB Pinellas County Sheriff, a little ragged and worn from battling to keep his job.
Ding. Ding. Ding. Go to your corners and come out swinging.
Euphemistically speaking, that was the scene at the final reading of the IRB 2008-2009 budget last Thursday, September 18th. Some will argue that it wasn’t a case of “either/or” at all when it came to deciding between keeping our police intact and/or keeping the full-time librarian. Maybe not, but that’s certainly how the community saw it. Perception usually is reality.
Last Thursday night's spectators saw firsthand what happens when piss-poor spending priorities and politics collide. The librarian survives another day…with only a modest reduction in her hours and only a small loss in her $20,000 books/supply budget.
All of you who showed up at the meeting to support the police managed to sway one vote--just enough to approve only a modest reduction in our protection. This was preferable to the more drastic cut approved at the first reading. Most citizens felt that NO REDUCTION whatsoever was warranted, but accepted the loss of a cop on the two weekdays of lesser police activity as a quasi-victory. (I could publish the “light police days” here, but prefer to let criminals-in-the-making guess!)
By contrast to the nearly packed house supporting the police, there was little public support for the librarian. Commissioner Valery pointed out the lack of grant money procured by the librarian thus far—allegedly the raison d’etre for her hiring in the first place.
One rather surprising development—several of longtime Friends of the Library (really lovely people, by the way) confided off-the-record that they feel the librarian is not an asset and has actually ruined “their” library. So, other than an allegiance to those who elected them, what could possibly be the reason that NOT ONE COMMISSIONER suggested giving the librarian the heave-ho? Even those this commission "pledges allegiance to" don't support her.
Check back on IRBeHEARD tomorrow for IRB citizen Scott Shapiro's proposed "Library Limo" plan. Most amusing.
Nancy Obarski
Beach Trail/IRB
3 comments:
The only person to speak for the library (with no mention of the librarian) was former Mayor Jim Driscoll. Mayor Jim (whose head looked like it was going to come off) was quite pissed off about any comments directed toward his beloved library. Lets just name the damn place after him and perhaps he will just quiet down and so will the plans for expansion. It was reported that steam was seen coming from his head as he spoke out against the Limo to Largo Library comment made by Shapiro. I suppose I would support such a program only if the limo would stop at Publix for a snack.
What similarities do the two have with each other?
If we're talking money then lets propose an admission onto the beach or place a tax on watching sunsets. It's just as ridiculous!
You state that several longtime Friends of the Library confided “that they feel the librarian is not an asset and has actually ruined ““their”” library”. Has it even occurred to you that these lovely people are probably disgruntled and annoyed at having to relinquish their little spheres of authority and at “being told what to do”? How on earth can a professional Librarian “RUIN” “their”library? What a petty and narrow-minded statement. But “THEIR” explains it all! They could not let go.
The librarian was appointed at a time when the running of the place was bordering on chaos and it was a question of time for the whole thing to collapse. Our librarian has brought expertise, structure, organization, information, long overdue procedures and, in one word.....professionalism!!!! What is wrong with that? She is very hard working, always available with a smile and ready to explain or demonstrate (not always the case before...). Patrons love coming to the library and very often say so.
Now, if the actual need for a library is being discussed, I am wondering where we are heading. I keep hearing politicians of all sides claiming that we need to boost and improve the educational system and that levels are falling. I thought that reading was the most obvious way to get informed, educated and, of course, entertained. In these days of “push button” leisure, should we not encourage our children (and adults) to go and get a book instead of turning into robots in front of a screen?
We should not have to choose between our police and our library. They are both needed. Instead, we should direct our anger or our protest towards the real culprits, those who got us in this situation in the first place, through mismanagement and irresponsibility, not against our librarian. She is definitely a great asset to our City.
A very happy volunteer at the Library.
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