Jess sent over A Follow Up to the demotions story in Wisconsin. County leaders Friday defended the demotion this week of three remaining librarians at the downtown Wausau public library. Of the eight customers interviewed Friday by the Daily Herald, all said the pay cut was unfair and some wondered whether there were alternatives. Two said service already had degraded at the library because of a gradual reduction in professional librarians — from seven in 2003 to three this year.
“It’s kind of sad that they’re looking to downsize in areas that help people,” said Chris Swope, 35, of Wausau. “It’s become harder to find somebody (for help at the library).”
Demoting an employee is not a kindness
The library director should be “commended” for demoting library employees? If there is a budget crunch, then perhaps layoffs may be called for — but demoting existing employees by calling their positions something else is a rotten thing to do. They are still librarians, doing library work. As far as the work being less complex, that is garbage. The technology aspect of the job calls for more skills rather than less. County administration may defend this, but how about their own salaries? Oh yes, it isn’t their fault, the consultant made them do it! I hope the employees have an organization or union that can defend them if they make noise.
how to demoralize all your staff in one fell swoop
I was so sad to read this story. How utterly demoralizing for all the staff, not just the three affected by the demotion, when their own director downplays the work librarians do. I think she must be the only librarian in the world who thinks library work is getting less complex rather than more.
This is just one more
This is just one more example of a library “leader” who has no management and no people skills. And then they wonder why morale is so low and why there is a “leadership crisis” in this profession.