By "administrative issues," I am talking about the librarian being the
administrative body who oversees the library, staff, etc. Here are the
issues:
It's finally come down to the tough problems....I have written a selection
policy and a procedures manual that will govern our libraries next year.
This was something that the school had been "cited" for in a recent
evaluation. In those manuals are specific duties that my assistant will
do...(and they were a "shock" to her when I presented the approved copy to
her today). In retrospect, I now believe that I should have spoken with her
regarding some of these issues, but deep-down I don't believe that my
requests in job assignments were unreasonable...they just took the "reins"
of control that she has had for ten years away from her specifically and
placed them in the librarian's control (regardless of who the librarian
might be)
I have finished inventory and discovered many errors in cataloging,
arrangement, and basic placement of materials (including censorship based
upon the "cataloger's" --assistant--viewpoints rather than the librarian's
professional skills.) As a result of inventory, I have decided to re-set
the entire library this summer to a more workable situation rather than
having things all around the room (and I literally mean this).
Now comes the tough decisions....I want my assistant (aged 65+) to either
take courses in cataloging or relinquish the project to someone else (not
me...but possibly me, if I am not allowed to hire someone who is more
qualified). Our catalog is a "mess" and it will take some time to clean it
up. In addition, I have several things to do this summer that will
certainly put a "bee in the bonnet" of my assistant. Among those things
will be the re-arrangement of all of the fiction in the library and
eventually the re-labeling of many materials in the non-fiction that have
been mis-labeled because of lack of education / training.
I could certainly present these issues to my assistant before school is
over, but this would create problems for me because she would return to the
library throughout the summer "to work" correcting the items that she thinks
are incorrect. The problem is...she doesn't correct them...she just
changes them to more incorrect ways (cataloging, shelving, arranging items).
In addition, my assistant is a little "retentive" when it comes to the
library...she arrives at 7:00 a.m. and leaves at 5:00 p.m., no breaks--only
two "potty breaks" lasting only 5 minutes at max, she eats lunch at her
computer and basically knows where everything is which is more than I
do....at least for now....
If I arrange the library over the summer without her there (and it would be
peaceful), then she would come into a new situation where she might find it
very upsetting and uncomfortable (lack of control for her...which she has
had now for over ten years). She would also be resentful toward me. If I
tell her that I will re-set the library without her, she will be "hurt" and
come back with bitterness and become very "cold" toward me....(and this is
bad?)
My dilemma again comes from the problem of being "new" here and her being
one of the "old-timers" who have been here for the majority of the school's
existence. However, I know that what she is doing IS NOT correct and it's
driving ME crazy! She has had control over the library and enjoys having
things "her way"....which has changed a lot this year. I would personally
like her to retire and move on...but that won't happen because this is her
"life" due to her difficult home life (controlling husband, children grown
and married, nothing as a hobby)....(which I know is NOT my fault or in my
control...but the "soft-side" of me says that I should be "concerned" with
this issue).
I can create a painful situation or I can be "politically correct" and
create a compromising situation which she can be involved (but only after
completing cataloging courses and relinquishing power to me....yeah, when
pigs fly). However, I believe that she needs more training than just
cataloging--including some ethical training in librarianship....based upon
this past year when she posted students names, book titles, and due dates
via the school email for everyone to see (even after I have told her not to
do this...). She just doesn't see what's wrong....who cares who know what
someone has???
Now, my "mean-spirited, climb-the-corporate-ladder-and-take-over-Enron"
friends have stated that I should just take control of the library this
summer, make a note of the new areas, what's changed, and make a list of my
expectations of her for the year and give all of this to her at the
beginning of the year.
My "soft, politically correct, Nirvana-is-my-Karma" friends tell me to work
with her, give her input, let her work into the situation gradually and give
her space to cope with the changes while I learn to be less "retentive" in
my areas of expertise...regardless of the fact that I am going crazy with
the whole violation of every ALA rule that I learned through my MLIS degree
at that prestigious ALA-accredited university in another state!!!" *breathe,
breathe*
Help...what do you believe I should do? I am going to be either a *itch or
a beauty with her....and right now the broom is in the corner ready to fly!!
Your input in this situation will "screw my courage to the sticking place"
(as stated by Lady Macbeth to Macbeth when she was coaxing him to kill the
king).
......"I'll get you, my pretty...and your little dog too!" (Wicked Witch of
the West, Wizard of Oz)
Thanks for the input! (The flying monkeys send their love!)
(Quit laughing!! *g*)
~Shonda Brisco
Trinity Valley MS / US Librarian
Fort Worth, TX
sbrisco021@charter.net
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