WHAT'S GOING ON!
WHAT’S GOING ON…
fy09/10 BUDGET REDUCTIONS…… The continuing economic downturn has forced the City of Anaheim to reduce operating costs, including the elimination of full time positions. In the Library Division, 10 positions will be eliminated in this fiscal year probably within the next 30 days. The positions that are being eliminated are: Library Services Manager (1) Librarian (2) Principal Library Clerk (1) Library Technician (1) Bookmobile Operator (1) Senior Library Clerk (2) Library Customer Service Clerk (1) and Library Clerk (1). Each of these positions has a current employee who will be either laid off or be reassigned to a lower classification. The 10 eliminated positions will displace 14 individual library staff who because of seniority and “bumping” rights will either receive layoff notices or a reassignment to a lower classification position. The individuals have been notified personally.
In order to encourage voluntary rather than involuntary separations, the City has authorized an “Accelerated Separation Program” to encourage retirements among full time staff not impacted by the layoffs. This program is open from February 10, 2010 to March 5, 2010. Because City and Library retirements might impact which positions and staff are actually eliminated in the Library Division, decisions regarding individual staff assignments, including transfers to other locations or library units, will not be determined until the beginning of March.
Because two more positions will be eliminated in FY2010/2011 beginning July 2010, I have proposed to Library management that the Library Division develop two staffing models, an Interim and a major reorganization. The interim model for library operations would be implemented in March through June and basically would cover “holes” and provide planning time for a major reorganization of the Library Division for FY2010/11. With our full time staffing dropping from 60 to 42 in three years, I do not believe that the Anaheim Public Library can maintain our current service model with such reduced resources. I feel that only major shifts in how we do business can create a sustainable foundation for the future of the Anaheim Public Library. Developing a new organization model will take time, thought and discussion.
This two phase approach to our future is uncharted territory for all of us; we will be learning as we are changing. This means, very likely, that staff may be given a “short term” (up to six months) assignment and then a more permanent assignment as the shape of the reorganized Anaheim Library emerges. Since our library managers are the core of our library’s leadership, “short term” assignments have been made to create a foundation for ensuring that our libraries remain operational during this overwhelming challenge. With the elimination of one full time Library Services Manager, responsibilities had to be redistributed. Within the next month, two managers will be taking on changed roles/responsibilities:
Karen Gerloff – Will become manager of the Sunkist Branch and take on full responsibility for system Collection Management
Carolyn Thomas – Will assume management of two branches: Canyon Hills and East Anaheim
All other managers will take on additional responsibilities, but will not be transferred.
With the new management assignments, the next step is to determine how the loss of 400 hours a week of staff skills and time will impact our operations in the short term. Very difficult decisions will need to be made about how to best assign the remaining full time staff to provide service at all of our locations. Although, the library does not plan on closing any branch at this time, there will need to be further reductions in open public service hours. There will also be reductions in library programming throughout our system.
I have asked managers to look at providing limited service hours where only one service desk is staffed. This would mean open hours when only directional and circulation assistance could be provided, no reference, reader’s advisory or computer support. The Library system will also reassess what accommodations can be made for classes during closed hours and whether programming can occur during normally closed hours. (Canyon is now opening limited hours for holiday celebrations on several Saturdays). These are just a few of the options that Library Administration and management will be assessing in the next two weeks to determine Library open hours and programming that can be provided through June 2010.
The complexity of our organization and the very short timeline to prepare for the loss of invaluable staff does not provide opportunity for staff involvement in the changes and assignments that will be made within the next several weeks. That is another excellent reason for embarking on a two stage process. The interim plan will keep our facilities functioning at a lower level until July while providing time in the next several months for all staff to have opportunities to discuss proposed organizational changes and service priorities for FY2010/11. Information on changes will be provided as decisions are made. I plan to post a general notice by next week at all of our facilities informing our users that library hours and services will be reduced due to further budget reductions. I would hope to postpone the actual changes in hours and services until April 1, but that timeline will depend on the date for the City’s layoff of library staff.
During this period of painful change and loss, I would like you to remember that we are in this transition together. We need to support each other and continue to serve our users. Even with painful choices, I am heartened to know that Anaheim will continue to receive welcoming, knowledgeable service from the very finest library providers – the staff of the Anaheim Public Library.
fy09/10 BUDGET REDUCTIONS…… The continuing economic downturn has forced the City of Anaheim to reduce operating costs, including the elimination of full time positions. In the Library Division, 10 positions will be eliminated in this fiscal year probably within the next 30 days. The positions that are being eliminated are: Library Services Manager (1) Librarian (2) Principal Library Clerk (1) Library Technician (1) Bookmobile Operator (1) Senior Library Clerk (2) Library Customer Service Clerk (1) and Library Clerk (1). Each of these positions has a current employee who will be either laid off or be reassigned to a lower classification. The 10 eliminated positions will displace 14 individual library staff who because of seniority and “bumping” rights will either receive layoff notices or a reassignment to a lower classification position. The individuals have been notified personally.
In order to encourage voluntary rather than involuntary separations, the City has authorized an “Accelerated Separation Program” to encourage retirements among full time staff not impacted by the layoffs. This program is open from February 10, 2010 to March 5, 2010. Because City and Library retirements might impact which positions and staff are actually eliminated in the Library Division, decisions regarding individual staff assignments, including transfers to other locations or library units, will not be determined until the beginning of March.
Because two more positions will be eliminated in FY2010/2011 beginning July 2010, I have proposed to Library management that the Library Division develop two staffing models, an Interim and a major reorganization. The interim model for library operations would be implemented in March through June and basically would cover “holes” and provide planning time for a major reorganization of the Library Division for FY2010/11. With our full time staffing dropping from 60 to 42 in three years, I do not believe that the Anaheim Public Library can maintain our current service model with such reduced resources. I feel that only major shifts in how we do business can create a sustainable foundation for the future of the Anaheim Public Library. Developing a new organization model will take time, thought and discussion.
This two phase approach to our future is uncharted territory for all of us; we will be learning as we are changing. This means, very likely, that staff may be given a “short term” (up to six months) assignment and then a more permanent assignment as the shape of the reorganized Anaheim Library emerges. Since our library managers are the core of our library’s leadership, “short term” assignments have been made to create a foundation for ensuring that our libraries remain operational during this overwhelming challenge. With the elimination of one full time Library Services Manager, responsibilities had to be redistributed. Within the next month, two managers will be taking on changed roles/responsibilities:
Karen Gerloff – Will become manager of the Sunkist Branch and take on full responsibility for system Collection Management
Carolyn Thomas – Will assume management of two branches: Canyon Hills and East Anaheim
All other managers will take on additional responsibilities, but will not be transferred.
With the new management assignments, the next step is to determine how the loss of 400 hours a week of staff skills and time will impact our operations in the short term. Very difficult decisions will need to be made about how to best assign the remaining full time staff to provide service at all of our locations. Although, the library does not plan on closing any branch at this time, there will need to be further reductions in open public service hours. There will also be reductions in library programming throughout our system.
I have asked managers to look at providing limited service hours where only one service desk is staffed. This would mean open hours when only directional and circulation assistance could be provided, no reference, reader’s advisory or computer support. The Library system will also reassess what accommodations can be made for classes during closed hours and whether programming can occur during normally closed hours. (Canyon is now opening limited hours for holiday celebrations on several Saturdays). These are just a few of the options that Library Administration and management will be assessing in the next two weeks to determine Library open hours and programming that can be provided through June 2010.
The complexity of our organization and the very short timeline to prepare for the loss of invaluable staff does not provide opportunity for staff involvement in the changes and assignments that will be made within the next several weeks. That is another excellent reason for embarking on a two stage process. The interim plan will keep our facilities functioning at a lower level until July while providing time in the next several months for all staff to have opportunities to discuss proposed organizational changes and service priorities for FY2010/11. Information on changes will be provided as decisions are made. I plan to post a general notice by next week at all of our facilities informing our users that library hours and services will be reduced due to further budget reductions. I would hope to postpone the actual changes in hours and services until April 1, but that timeline will depend on the date for the City’s layoff of library staff.
During this period of painful change and loss, I would like you to remember that we are in this transition together. We need to support each other and continue to serve our users. Even with painful choices, I am heartened to know that Anaheim will continue to receive welcoming, knowledgeable service from the very finest library providers – the staff of the Anaheim Public Library.
posted by ANAHEIM PUBLIC LIBRARY at
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