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Monday, January 5, 2009
Library director: Staff shortages may shut 20 libraries this week

The ramifications of having to keep 11 branch libraries open - contrary to Mayor Nutter's plans - are significant and many, according to Free Library President and Director Siobhan Reardon.

For one thing, the city last weekend shoveled out overtime - costing the city yet more money that it doesn't have. For another, staffing shortages make it uncertain whether 20 libraries will be able to open this week.

For more, read on from an email Reardon sent to staff this morning:

"Good morning everyone: 

Bob Heim, Joe McPeak and I met with Friends presidents and other community leaders on Saturday to review with them the impact of Judge Fox’s injunction on the library system. The public may be asking you questions about this today. The Mayor was in attendance. 

This morning the City will be asking the Judge to vacate her decision to open the 11 libraries due to the hardship on the library system in getting all 53 libraries open and operating 

Under the assumption the judge does not stay her decision, the City will be prepared to appeal the order. 

In the meantime, the library was able to open all libraries on Friday and Saturday through the use of overtime. We will not be able to use overtime after this weekend to get the libraries open when there is a shortage. 

We expect that there will be at least 20 libraries that will be challenged to open during this coming week due to staffing shortages 

Senior staff are in the process of putting together plans, for the Trustees to review, which will reduce days of service system-wide. This will be necessary in order to comply with the judge’s order and set up a sustainable service model. We believe it will be a combination of 4 and 3 days across the system for now. 

It is important to remember that we structured a system – and therefore staffing requirements – with the understanding that we would be down 11 libraries to operate. We used the savings in overhead costs on these 11 libraries to save positions. With the reopening of the libraries, we have to restore the budgets for library materials, etc. and eventually will have to layoff additional positions. We will not move into layoff mode until we know better whether we will be allowed to close or be required to keep open the 11 libraries. The additional positions are helping with the hybrid model versus dropping to three days across the board.

I’ll keep you informed as we know more."

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Posted by Marcia Gelbart @ 4:08 PM  Permalink | 8 comments
Comments   
Posted 04:22 PM, 01/05/2009
david wayne
In this down and out recession library services are in greater demand than ever. It is a sad day indeed when they are cut off.
Posted 05:39 PM, 01/05/2009
CleanupPhilly
Or, the city can collect and foreclose on the $522 million in overdue, unpaid property taxes to fund the $40 million total library cost of operation. Why does Ms. Reardon "have to restore the budget for library materials" when she needs money for staff? That makes no sense either. Again, this sounds like more gamesmanship than actual attempts to solve problems.
Posted 07:09 PM, 01/05/2009
snevets
Excuse me, Ms. Siobhan Reardon, instead of threats to reduce city-wide library services because you can't get your own way to shutter the 11 libraries originally on the cutting board, why don't you attempt to redirect your energies and flex your influence to REAPPROPRIATE the $30 million set aside by city and state funds originally earmarked to build the new Central Library Annex at 1901 Vine Street? Instead, this money could be appropriated to keep the existing community libraries intact??? Also, you previously indicated in the press that your department plans to build two NEW REGIONAL libraries in South and West Philadelphia! Listen to what you're "feeding" us....threats to lay off staff if you can't shut the 11 libraries WHILE, unbelievably, planning to expand and build new libraries! Where's the common sense? Where's the leadership?
Posted 09:16 AM, 01/06/2009
John Scanlon
Ms. Reardon- when did you cease being an advocate for libraries? What made you stop? Were you ever an advocate for libraries? Do you really think it is ok for students without home internet to travel 4 miles a day to complete school assignments? Ms. Reardon- please consider the human costs involved in Mr. Nutter's library decisions.
Posted 09:54 AM, 01/06/2009
brendancalling
ah, now siobhan's putting on the bully costume. Ms. Reardon: I don't think the people in southwest are scared of you. i think you are scared of us.
Comment removed.
Posted 11:37 AM, 01/06/2009
brendancalling
actuall, batkinson, as amy dougherty pointed out this AM on whyy, "there is a bloated middle management and upper management, many of who are librarians who could go back to the branches". (source: http://www.whyy.org/news/economy.html?rss). This plan has been brewing for at least 5 years: the mayor chose to use the temporary economic crisis as an excuse to ram through an unrelated permanent plan to reduce libraries.
Posted 12:45 PM, 01/13/2009
catphilly
this so pathetically screams "see what those selfish people are making me do". We see through you. Reardon: I dare you to take this suggestion ... share your planning/scheduling problems with your opposition group ... we'll HELP you make it happen in a way that benefits all
8 comments
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