Building a solid library program takes hard work and commitment. When I use the term “library program“, I refer to the overall services a public library affords its community. A solid library program can incorporate:
1. Robust collection development
2. Proactive and passive programming
3. Engaged community outreach
3. Engaged community outreach
4. Equitable technology access
5. Safe and welcoming facilities
6. And, overall mindfulness of library impact, both locally and globally
One of the finer advantages of being a library director is the ability to act as a community change agent. Patrons, library staff and trustees as well volunteers are quick to notice when a new director has been appointed. The entire community reacts positively because someone different brings in fresh ideas.
Library director retention is a particular challenge facing our libraries. The biggest factor that causes high director turnover is funding. Most directors in our library system are hired to work part time hours at salaries slightly above minimum wage. It doesn’t help that only five STLS member libraries have the capability to offer medical or retirement plans.
The issue of retention also holds true for our mid-sized to large libraries. Library directors are spread thin. All of them have responsibilities far more diverse than directors in well-funded institutions. Ask any library director, and they will tell you they also serve as construction manager, facility planner, adult programmer, marketing specialist, website developer, legal researcher, technology instructor and politician. The list goes on and on.
The dilemma of retaining high quality library directors will remain until all libraries obtain budgets that support the essence of director work. Directors also need support staff and resources to achieve the several factors a solid library program incorporates.
In the meantime, library boards can be helpful to directors by exercising their own mindfulness. A good leader inherently recognizes when her team is committed and over worked. A library board has similar accountability to its library director. There are things trustees can do aside from compensation to make the director’s job easier. Some ideas include:
1. Establish and maintain policies
2. Ask about volunteer opportunities
3. Attend trustee training
4. Pay directors to attend training and meetings
5. Listen (sometimes directors just need vent)
In closing, I want to highlight a library director who has built a solid library program. She is leaving our library system to take on a new director position at Olean Public Library. I feel it is important to celebrate her work and accomplishments.
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| Michelle LaVoie (right) stands with Nic Gunning (left), interim director at David A. Howe Public Library after Nic received last year’s Grass Roots Award. This week was Michelle’s last as director of Wellsville’s Library. She is now the Director of the Olean Public Library in the Chautauqua Cattaraugus Library System. Michelle was a great advocate for her library and STLS libraries. |
Last week, Michelle LaVoie, director of the David A. Howe Public Library in Wellsville took a moment to answer some of my questions. We will certainly miss her leadership in the system, but also take comfort in knowing she has built a team to carry on the tradition of solid librarianship.
Brian: What was one your greatest moments while working at David A. Howe?
Michelle: There have been many great moments, but the Joyce Carol Oates visit was truly special. So many people came together to make that event work, and it was pulled off with grace. We had many people from the Western NY region come for that and they were impressed that we got her to come here, but also with the beautiful library! The visit was featured in a column in Buffalo Business First as well, so that was nice recognition.
Brian: What will you most miss about David A. Howe Library?
Michelle: I will miss the building! It can be a difficult relationship between the director and the building. But it’s an amazingly beautiful facility, with so many meeting rooms, it’s just incredible. The park-like lawn is used for events, the terraces for outdoor activities and events, the reading rooms, the exhibition room, the auditorium, and on it goes! It will be hard not to have all those spaces anymore!
Brian: Did you learn anything new in your career during your time at D. A. Howe?
Michelle: Tons! I learned more than I ever thought I’d know about maintaining a historic building, about HVAC systems, about community outreach and the importance of those efforts, about political advocacy, communicating with staff and ensuring that they are used to their fullest (a win-win situation for the library, the patrons, and the staff members who experience much higher job satisfaction), and so many other knowledge areas needed to be a strong director.
Brian: Was STLS helpful enough?
Michelle: STLS is helpful in so many ways – with the construction aid program, arranging advocacy meetings including the trip to Albany, its own grant programs, clarification of policy questions and state mandates, professional development, and communication among libraries.
Brian: What is the one thing you hope all public libraries can accomplish in the next 5 years?
Michelle: Increasing their tax revenue to allow for sustainable budgets!!! This involves ensuring that communities continue to support their libraries to resist efforts being made in political circles to reduce critical funding (i.e. the property tax cap, etc).
Thank you, Michelle. We wish you the very best of luck!
Have a great weekend, STLS. Enjoy the very first weekend of June 2016.
Kindest Regards,
Brian Hildreth, Executive Director
Southern Tier Library System
Follow me on Twitter: @comlibpartner
Read past Friday Follow-ups: http://www.stls.org/blog
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