Duluth.Talk

By Brian Lewis

June 27, 2006 07:41 AM | Link to this

Excellent post today!

Until the commissioners (who appointed the board) demand answers from the board about Pinder’s firing in a public forum; the board will no doubt continue to be silent and prone to other nonsense.

The board must be reminded that its purpose is to give direction; but NOT to micro-manage; dismiss high performing staff on a whim; or vindictively slice budgets.

Yes, let’s hope that the board has learned its lesson and is changing its ways. But the public and the commissioners still had better keep an eye on the board. Especially Oxendine.

By JGY

June 27, 2006 08:33 AM | Link to this

A letter from the board says it dismissed Pinder for being rude. A couple of points:

1.If Pinder was rude, so are a lot of people. When did this become a firing offense?

2.By now there should be a chorus of people delighted with Pinder’s firing about her alleged rudeness, gladly publicly recounting their horror stories with Pinder over the last 15 years.

3.Don’t believe the hype.

By Marian

June 27, 2006 09:02 AM | Link to this

For 15 years, a petty unelected dictator was permitted to run roughshod over hundreds of county employees, answering to no one but an unelected library board. Past board members were almost as afraid of Pinder as her employees, and it required some new board members to change the situation. Fifteen years is a very long run, and even most elected officials have term limits. Pinder’s salary is almost the same as that of the governor, but it shouldn’t make her as powerful.

So the poor dear wants an apology from the board for her public humiliation? She should receive one only once she has apologized to the employees she humiliated in front of others, although to do so would keep her from gainful employment for years to come.

As for the humiliation hurting her chances for another job, Pinder has applied for other positions, but her reputation as “difficult” has already spread in the library world.

Yes, GCPL did get the award for “Library of the Year” in 2000, but there was a good bit of controversy in the library community about it, although all of that never made it to the local papers. Enron was flying high at one point, but just as at GCPL, there was a lot going on behind the scenes. Gwinnett taxpayers are getting off easy - Enron stockholders lost a lot more than $127,000.

Some other issues that should be addressed:

This whole episode and the recent long-running absurdity regarding Harry Potter in public schools (and especially Gwinnett’s teen witch)have been covered by national media, and it has not been flattering to Gwinnett or its citizens. I hope the board and commissioners can work together in an effort to make GCPL a library system that will attract and KEEP excellent librarians.

P.S. For those worried about the censors - Ms. Pinder announced at a library staff meeting that she was in favor of covering Stone Mountain during the Olympics. Of course, no one would ever wonder about that huge blue tarp!

By Eula

June 27, 2006 09:16 AM | Link to this

Marian, you make good points. Too bad these points have not come to the public forum earlier. If the board had stated the issues as clearly as you have, maybe public perception would be different. After all, perception is reality.

By Casey

June 27, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

For anyone interested enough to look further than the news reports into this situation, I recommend that you check 2 websites. (http://www.gcplwatch.org) and (http://www.fixga.com) Both provide useful background and inside information about this situation. You must register to use fixga.com, but it is well worth doing so.

By Bije

June 27, 2006 10:12 AM | Link to this

I thought this very eloquent letter should be shared.

“The news of Jo Ann Pinder’s firing was truly the best news I have heard in a long time. I applaud this library board for their courage to do what should have been done long ago. I am a former employee who almost had a nervous breakdown because of Pinder and I have spent many years since my employment there just trying to forget the experience. The years I spent working for her were the most miserable I have ever spent on any job. And the sad thing is that my experience was not mine alone but that of many, many other good people. I watched as she went after employee after employee until she had either fired them, demoted them, humiliated them, or they left the system. Her rages and tantrums were unbelievable and when they were directed at you it was the most frightening experience you can imagine. My stomach used to literally sink to my toes when she would appear. You never knew when she would explode about the most inconsequential thing. I hope that now that she is gone the atmosphere of the library will improve but unfortunately I think she hired or kept staff that she created in her image.” GCPL Watch website, June 16

The remaining upper-level managers at GCPL are those Pinder was able to mold into mini-Pinders. Pinder re-organized her management staff on a regular basis, according to who was in favor at a given moment. It required a VERY special set of skills to remain and succeed in the management hierarchy under Pinder, and those who fell from favor were soon demoted, or left the system. In regard to tax dollars, those managers who were demoted still receive their previous salaries for doing the same job as others receiving much less, while new managers are hired in, thus increasing the total managerial level salaries. If you are outraged at having to pay Pinder’s parting salary of $127,000, think about the years of having to pay managerial salaries to those Pinder demoted! If she actually had good cause to demote these people, why not just fire them, or at least reduce their salaries to match their new positions? To keep them from speaking up & from filing lawsuits, of course.

By Susan

June 27, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this

I had heard that the firing was because Pinder didn’t feel the Gwinnett Co. libraries should have to buy the textbooks that the home school group wants. This would seem reasonable since the public library doesn’t have textbooks that the public schools use. Home school advocates need to buy their own materials or send their kids to public school. It was pure politics from the conservative board.

By Helena

June 27, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this

Sorry Ms. Dakar, but you’re on the wrong track if you think Jo Ann Pinder is such a champion of intellectual freedom. Regarding censorship issues, Pinder has fought challenges against books already in the library. Most library patrons have never thought of the issue of self-censorship. This is when a library takes the “proactive” stance of either not ordering books that it thinks will be controversial, or quietly removing books from its shelves that may cause controversy. GCPL has practiced this for many years. The library had gone back and purchased some of the earlier works of a writer who became very popular long after these works were originally published. A staff member (not a patron) suggested that perhaps these should be removed because of their very erotic content. This was done - no public complaint, no library board hearings, nothing.

Referring to the minutes of GCPL’s Branch Manager’s meeting on Dec. 1, 1994:

“Rhonda (Boyd) handed out the new Materials Selection Policy… . All materials selections pages should be removed from the Procedures Manual: the new policy replaces all pages in the Policy Manual.”

The new policy deleted this section from the old policy - “While recognizing that many books are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons, selections are not made on the basis of anticipated disaproval… . Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents, and no library material will be removed from its assigned shelf space or otherwise sequestered.”

The December 1994 Branch Manager’s meeting minutes also include this gem: “Another title is coming to 5 branches in a brown envelope: Out in America. Please do not display on the new book shelf.

This was not an obscene or objectionable book. It merely contained photos of gay people showing them to be like everyone else. This is the review from Amazon - “Over 250 candid color photos reflect the diversity of gay and lesbians in American society in this big, beautiful, revealing book. Captions and short commentaries by acclaimed gay and lesbian writers explore what it is to by gay in contemporary America.” OOOOOOOOOH - how SCARY!

By Mark

June 27, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this

Typical loony bin thinking: everybody is a Nazi who doesn’t agree with you, right Beni?

By Library Patron

June 27, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

“The board as a whole should represent a broad spectrum of the community, occupations, and geographic areas. A board consisting of diverse viewpoints assures that the library will serve the total community. Collectively, a board of trustees should, through open and candid communication, strive to have the following traits. • Occupational diversity • Political acumen • Business management/financial experience • Legal knowledge • Diversity in age, race, and sex • Varied personal backgrounds and interests • Willingness to actively advocate for the library”

The is taken from page 10 of the GEORGIA PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES HANDBOOK which can be read at http://www.georgialibraries.org/lib/publications/TrusteesMan1995Ed.pdf

By James Chisholm Jr.

June 27, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this

Response to Helena

Have you had your head in the sand for the last few years? The right wing would attack and destroy the library had they put this subject on the shelves. There was some censorship due to fear of causing controversy. Now you want to hold Ms. Pinder responsible for that. Look how the Harry Potter controversy is going for the county schools. As I have said before, the library has to walk a fine line and this is one of the areas that needs common sense. The library does not need to hire and waste library funds on lawyers.

At the same time I do not find other controversial issues put on the shelves, i.e, how to build a nuclear bomb. Should the library put those kinds of books out there, as well? I am surprised you even went there with your comment.

By Junior

June 27, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

The only thing that is clear to me, after reading all of this, is that no one, either on the board or Ms. Pindar, is capable of working with people. This whole thing would be funny, if it weren’t so pathetic. The only true fact in evidence is that “The Dukes of Hazard” is a primmer for life in Georgia.

By Bije

June 27, 2006 05:18 PM | Link to this

My goodness me! My dear Mr. Chisholm! Comparing homosexuality and bomb-building? Advocating censorship for fear of causing controversy? By the way - do you know how to use your library catalog? There are quite a few books on the atomic bomb (at GCPL), and several explain the basics, as would any good scientific encyclopedia; and of course there are many internet websites accessible from (gasp!) your public library! Lions and tigers and bears oh my!

It must be disheartening to find that (so far) the feedback from past and even current employees is so negative (see gcplwatch.org for some comments from current employees).

Perhaps Mr. Chisholm might remove his own head from the sand and work with the board, the commissioners, and the voters to prevent this situation (and another Pinder or AFPL’s Hooker) from happening again. Just because you were ignorant of the work environment within GPCL for the past 15 years (or just don’t care) doesn’t mean it didn’t exist. Of course, there are also those who protest that the Holocaust didn’t really happen (yes, it is as ridiculous a comparison as Beni Dakar’s). You might also join the Flat Earth Society at [http://www.alaska.net/~clund/e_djublonskopf/FlatNewMem.htm].

To those of you who are proud of your library system, remember first that the front-line staff at your local branch libraries are the ones who really make the library into the organization you’re so proud of. They take a lot of abuse from the public - should they have to be abused and intimidated by their managers? You are already paying the money to make it a great system, and a huge chunk of the budget goes to pay the salaries of that top-heavy layer of upper management.

P.S. You might also try remembering the employee lawsuit at Atlanta-Fulton’s library, which cost a great deal in legal fees, and in which the employees were awarded many millions of $$$$$. (Grand total cost over $18 million)

Take a look at http://www.afplwatch.com. Suggested improvements include a recommendation for Szabo (new AFPL Director) to reassure the staff that “library employees never again can fall prey to a regime that ignores county and library policy, puts favorites into key positions, intimidates staff, applies rules inconsistently, and punishes dissent and criticism.”

Hey - all of you “disgruntled” GCPL employees that the fixga.com website doesn’t want to hear from! Anyone interested in a class-action lawsuit? - all the mental anguish alone will cost Gwinnett taxpayers a lot more than $127,000! We could show up at the meeting wearing green!

By Bored

June 27, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this

It’s unfair to compare the Nazi book burnings to us not wanting to spend more money on foreign language books. It should be spent on ENGLISH books, and/or books that TEACH other languages.

By Ike

June 27, 2006 08:38 PM | Link to this

You’re right “By Bored”, it is unfair to compare the library board to the Nazis. The Nazis did their burning in public. Our board does it secretly and without cause.

By rene

June 28, 2006 03:09 AM | Link to this

As a current employee, there was never fear of losing jobs for petty reasons until now. However, there were edges of it, but not because of Pinder. When I was first hired, I was warned that we have to attend board meetings. The warning part comes in because my boss said staff have gotten into trouble from Oxendine for perhaps having any particular expression of which she thinks may be disapproval of her “golden words”. Keep your face blank or else you may get “Oxendized”. We live in more fear now.

By @riskfortruthtelling

June 28, 2006 03:33 AM | Link to this

The two very loud homeschooler moms who have all kinds of time on their hands want Mexican people to “assimilate”, but won’t send their own kids for a common education with them in our excellent public schools. Maybe their kids would get cooties? What’s good for the Mexicans is not good enough for their offspring. They money spent on special interest materials for their tykes, but not for Spanish speakers. It’s ver sad. The Hispanic community isn’t trying to stop Homeschoolers from getting materials.

I don’t speak Spanish or have kids in public school and yet I pay taxes to support them all. That is the price of living in a civilized society. We don’t get to pick and choose where every dollar goes.

PS In the interest of being fair the library should buy some of the things the homeschoolers wanted. The materials requested do have some value.

By Debbie Parks

June 28, 2006 08:41 AM | Link to this

It should be noted that all library policies are approved by the library board in an open meeting, and minutes from all meetings are available. Many of the policies, and the strategic plan for the libraries are available on the library website, http://www.gwinnettpl.org/AboutLibrary/AboutIndex.html

Regarding the claims that Ms. Pinder disrespected employees, please note the longevity of her senior staff—most of whom have been in their positions for over 10 years, some for the entire 15 years that Jo Ann was director. These jobs do not pay high salaries; had Jo Ann been the shrew the writers portray certainly the turnover in management would have been much higher

By Beulah

June 28, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this

There have been a number of upper management who have left during Jo Ann’s regime. I can think of at least 5 right now. Two of them are now upper-management at Forsyth. I remember the controversy when Forsyth and Dawson were kicked out of the “Lake Lanier Regional Library” system, and it was the easiest way for Jo Ann to get rid of an assistant director who had been her main competition for the job. Gwinnett lost a good number of its best employees to Forsyth, and I’ve even heard that it’s a good place to work! The managers who have remained are the ones who operate the same way as Jo Ann, and some of them know too much to be easily gotten rid of. As for their salaries, I’d say that a lot of Gwinnett citizens would like to be making $60,000+. Not too shabby!

P.S. Having once witnessed one of Jo Ann’s little tantrums, I would never ever compare her to a shrew - maybe a rabid hyena. Shoulla and Varenhorst witnessed what Jo Ann’s “inside voice” is really like - it was the same one she frequently uses on her employees.

By Beni Dakar

June 28, 2006 04:08 PM | Link to this

Hello Everyone,

Comparing the library board to Nazi’s may be ‘over the top’; but the library board’s recent actions appear to be vindictive and mean spirited. There seems to be a willful abuse of its powers by some of its members that can be viewed as totalitarian.

Beyond that, another writer in a recent AJC op-ed alleged that a “Naziville” was being established by the library board and that Gwinnett citizens had better watch out.

Moreover, during Pinder’s fifteen years without a doubt some employees loved her and some maybe were not so fond of her. But that happens in any work setting. I think if there had been major personnel and personality issues involving Pinder they would have come into light much earlier.

I also know that often ‘strong’ executive level women have many people who resent their authority and perhaps this was the case with some of the board members and Pinder.

Let’s hope that all of this bad publicity about our library board can quickly pass by—and the board and new director will continue to ensure that GCPL is among the best in the nation.

It would also be nice for the board to be expanded and for there to be a conscious effort for more diversity among board members. Library board members should reflect the changing demographics of Gwinnett.

Best,

Beni

By Happy

June 29, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this

Did someone say, “By now there should be a chorus of people delighted with Pinder’s firing about her alleged rudeness, gladly publicly recounting their horror stories with Pinder over the last 15 years.” ??? By George, let the chorus sing! As a former employee of the Gwinnett County Library System for four years, I feel I must say that my time spent working in that county was some of the most miserable years of my life. I have worked in several library systems now and I have never worked in a worse environment than that of Gwinnett County’s Library under JoAnn Pinder. I was finally able to leave the system a year ago when I found a new job with a new library system where I am very happy. My reasons for leaving Gwinnett are simple: poor management and unethical behavior on the part of those in management positions, with bad decisions made for the customers, staff, and the system as a whole.

There are also quite a number of inconsistencies with the “rules” to the point that neither the staff nor customers seem to know what to do when. While this can be frustrating for customers when the staff doesn’t seem to know their own policies, it can be even more frustrating for a staff member to try and decide what will not get him/her in trouble or even fired that week. Almost everyone on staff at every branch I have visited that I have ever discussed such things with has a feeling that they can be fired at any minute for either bending the wrong rule at the wrong time, or NOT bending a rule when a customer feels particularly belligerent that day. As a staff member of Gwinnett, I went to work every day in fear of customers and my supervisors. And I have had several different supervisors as departments changed or I moved to a different branch. I believe this is because of the trickle-down affect from JoAnn herself- the staff is afraid of their supervisors because the supervisors are afraid of her. Gwinnett county has a very aggressive public to serve because it is run with a customer-is-always-right attitude. And the public knows whoever shouts loudest wins. I do not want to seem as though I am blaming the public for bad behavior. I’m not. It is the system and its administration that has created for itself bad behavior to have to deal with. It is very humiliating to have to explain to a customer why a rule is what it is, then have them go to your branch manager to “tell” on you, and have that manager pull the rug out from under you and give them what you told them you couldn’t. This type of behavior from managers is nearly a daily event. For example, we were told a year or so ago at a branch meeting to stop overriding the printer for people who didn’t want to buy the print card. I did what I was told to do- told a girl I couldn’t override it for her anymore, that this time she was going to have to get the card. She went to my branch manager, who did the override, then called me into her office to tell me why I had a problem with dealing with difficult situations. While I realize that it was my manager who did this to me, not JoAnn herself, as I said above, it is the fear of the customer going to her that probably made my manager do what SHE did. I have seen other managers do similar things.

As for the bad decisions made for the library system, getting rid of the shelvers and the circulation dept. has got to be two of the worst decisions ever made! Having shelvers not only gave teenagers an after-school job and a foot in the door to working in a library, it also helped the rest of the staff IMMENSELY. The amount of shelving to be done in a place like Gwinnett county with the population it has is TREMENDOUS! I remember 8 hour days of nothing but shelving. That’s not what I went to college for. We were told that going to a one-desk branch with no shelvers would save money among other silly reasons. To save money, why not try saving some of the books that get tossed just because they have a small spot on the corner. Why not try getting an alarm system for certain items like dvds and cds that are a high-risk for getting stolen. Yes, shelvers would get paid some money but they don’t have health insurance paid for them, and yes, an alarm system would cost money to get. But the money saved from not throwing out books so easily (I hear over 22% goes every year, as opposed to other libraries that delete only around 5%) and from the items that won’t have to be constantly replaced from being stolen… come on!!! I have also seen how generous the Friends of the Library can be since they donated two PT Cruisers (I think those are the cars they bought for Gwinnett Library) a couple of years ago. I’m not sure what the library needed with them, but I’m sure they have been put to use. However, an alarm system would be much more useful. Another waste of money- renovating branches for no apparent reason. While working at the Buford branch a few years back, they decided to renovate the place. Not that the old layout was bad. In fact, the old layout was probably much better- the check-out desk was by the front door. Once renovated, the check-out desk was put in a corner on the side of the building giving it a confusing look. Not long after, a SECOND renovation was done: the one-desk model. While the layout now is ok, renovation after renovation costs major $$$$$$! So does building new branches. Yes, Gwinnett has a huge population that could benefit from so many branches, but staff the older ones properly first!! Bring back the shelvers to help with getting the books out there to be more accessible for customers and allow the other staff to do their jobs more efficiently. Bring back the circulation and reference dept.’s to help regulate the huge flow of traffic in the branches. A one-desk model may work for a small town setting with a small town population, but that is NOT Gwinnett county. And a library director should not rule the library with fear. He or she should stand behind his/her staff, supervisors, and the guidelines that have been created for them to follow! The staff are just as much members of that community as the customers, and it is both the customers and the staff that keep those doors open.

As for the Library Board, I have seen in the newspapers that board member Brett Taylor and previous board member Dan English have accused the other members of “involving themselves too much in daily library operations.” Isn’t that their job- to know what’s going on in the library that they are running? If a board of people is going to make decisions significantly affecting customers and staff, SHOULDN’T they be asking customers and staff questions and getting as much info as possible so those decisions will be made with everyone’s best interest in mind? Information should not be gleaned JUST from paperwork and statistics. Having worked for Gwinnett County Library System for four years, I have many times heard what administration tells us the statistics say versus what we saw happening with our own eyes, and very often these did not quite match up. There is a running joke among a lot of staff that if each board member would work the front desk for themselves for a week, they could see first hand what customers want and what staff needs. So please, by all means, board members, ask ask ASK! Find out from the people who work out there in the branches every day and the customers who visit those branches what the library needs, and while you’re at it, what it’ like to work under JoAnn Pinder.

Katherine W. Kennedy, Flowery Branch - Jun 8, 2006

I was glad to see Katherine Kennedy’s comment about how good the Friends of the Library had been to the GCPL system. Yes, they did purchase two PT Cruisers for the system. They also provided checks to JoAnn Pinder for each branch to purchase food and beverages or whatever at Christmas time. The checks did not get cashed and when questioned about it, Friends of the Library were told Ms. Pinder had asked that the checks be held because she was afraid they might “bounce” since we had just purchased two cars. DID SHE ACTUALLY THINK WE WERE STUPID??

The Friends of the Library made lots of money for the system and had a group of great volunteers. As good things go, that was taken away. Ms. Pinder decided to take away the duties of the volunteers and the used book store and man the store by GCPL employees. Does that make sense? Use paid employees when you had volunteers working for FREE? She later used taxpayer money to open a used book store at Discover Mills (don’t know what that cost the taxpayers). I am sure that was not cheap.

After she got her PT Cruisers, she more or less requested Friends of the Library be dissolved. Now she has her Friends of the Foundation.

Having stated the above facts, my biggest gripe with the system right now is the policies and procedures used in discarding old materials. I think it is wrong to allow some company to purchase these items for pennies and then these materials sold on Amazon.com or E-Bay or wherever. I think the taxpaying public of Gwinnett County should have first choice to buy these books as they did when Friends of the Library staffed the used book store. Materials that we have paid for should not be practically given away. The taxpayers should have an opportunity to purchase these items and at the same time pump the revenue from these sales back into the system.

Ms. Pinder may have done a good job developing our library system but she is not a people person. She does not know how to deal with the public or her employees. I doubt seriously getting rid of her would hurt our system. My dad use to say “one monkey don’t stop the show”!

Signed: A member of the volunteers of Friends of the Library - Jun 8, 2006

I want to applaud Phyllis Oxendine and the others involved in the dismissal of Jo Ann Pinder. Having worked for Gwinnett County Public Library system in the past in a managerial position, I can honestly say Pinder is one of the most uncaring, unprofessional, egotistical, incompetent directors I have ever worked under. She has no sense of compassion or even common caring where human beings are concerned. I hope that the new leadership will be more people-conscious in dealing with the staff and patrons.With the large turnover the system has experienced at her hands, it is high time that the library attracts new employees and management staff. I want to think of this as not setting the library back, but it is fixing what has been wrong and moving forward.

Sally Willis-Mayer - Jun 14, 2006 Former Gwinnett library computer operations manager, Buford

Tickled PINK!!! I had the misfortune to work at GCPL for nearly eight years, and witnessed some of Pinder’s rages, and heard of a great many more. She is known among her staff for her temper, and her violent outbursts. GCPL staff refer to this as “being pinderized”. Until recently, she managed to keep these outburtsts in check during public meetings. Ask yourselves, why does GCPL have the highest employee turnover rate of any of the metro counties? Why is GCPL the only local library system that ALWAYS has available positions? Current and former employees will be more than happy to tell you. What goes around, comes around - sometimes it just takes time. I’ve also written to the board members and the commissioners to express a heartfelt “Thank you!”.

I worked at GCPL for several years before Ms. Pinder was hired, and for about half a dozen years after. I thought that, in light of the way the video weeding was done, it might be useful to mention a similar instance. Shortly after Ms. Pinder was hired, one of her first actions was to request that the board replace all of the (almost new) shelves in the (almost new) branches with shorter shelving, because as a short person, she could not browse the upper shelves (ever heard of a kik-step?). The board sensibly declined, so to get around the height problem, Ms. Pinder instituted a massive weeding project, designed to leave the upper shelves bare. This plan was not, needless to say, submitted to the board. Many almost new copies of classics, and many wonderful books on art and collectibles were placed on sale for $1.00 each. I purchased a great many of these and donated them to a library that wanted and appreciated donations (especially of very expensive art books). I think this situation remarkably similar to the tactics used on the video collection.

I also regret that Ms. Pinder’s firing was accomplished in the manner that it was. Gwinnett library patrons certainly deserve to know the reasons behind it. I do not believe that Ms. Pinder was fired “without cause”, but that the board thought it the easiest way. Given the secrecy concerning so many of Gwinnett County’s business dealings, can we really be surprised? Some of the reasons will eventually emerge - remember a few years back, all of the confusion regarding Atlanta-Fulton’s library system? I would much rather that the reasons had been clearly stated. Some would have disagreed, but Ms. Pinder would certainly not seem the poor, sad, martyred woman pictured in the media. I began at GCPL during the directorship of Mr. John Shelton. He was able to expand the library system while respecting the abilities and education of those who worked with the public on a daily basis. I never saw or heard of Mr. Shelton screaming at an employee (particularly in front of other employees), or treating any employee discourteously. I realize that the general public and casual acquaintances cannot easily believe stories of Ms. Pinder’s behavior. I also realize, and certainly regret, that most cannot understand the value of the professional librarian. Library schools are closing across the country, and Georgia itself has little to offer in professional library training. Clark Atlanta and Emory discontinued their programs, and the new program at Valdosta State is not yet accredited by the American Library Association.

When a patron goes into a library, and sees a new, clean, seemingly well-stocked facility with service staff available, it does not occur to think about the qualifications of the staff, or possibly even about the quality of the materials. Gwinnett made the decision not to keep many types of materials that might not circulate all that often, using the justification that they could be borrowed through interlibrary loan. If you find an author you enjoy, I wish you luck finding copies of their earlier works at GCPL. Interlibrary loan is fairly costly (I don’t recall the average $), and not all materials are available for loan. I also know of several institutions that do not loan to Gwinnett because of GCPL’s policy of relying on other institutions to supply the not-so-popular materials. I hope that my ramblings will give this group some inkling that GCPL might not be quite so pretty below the surface. I do not care for the idea that the censors are partially behind Ms. Pinder’s departure, but to quote - “Change is not bad. Change is the nature of things.” Perhaps it is time for a change at GCPL. My own tendency, especially as a librarian, would be to support Pinder as the underdog in this brouhaha, if I only read the news reports, so I sympathize with your group’s aims. I only wish that such vocal support could be found to support keeping a staff of professional librarians, and to fund a collection that includes more that just the most popular materials.

I realize that there are those who believe that librarians do nothing but sit, … and read, … and check books in and out. Unfortunately, Gwinnett is now using its remaining professional (degreed) librarians for such tasks as re-shelving books, a task once performed by high-school students. The librarians don’t mind that much - they are paid the same whether they are shelving or helping you research job leads, or helping your children with research papers. They are not as readily available to assist patrons with research, since shelving and cleaning and storytelling must be done. However, when you or your children do need research assistance, do you want someone who may have no library experience or training, and whose primary research tool is Google? Do you think it best that library materials are selected by a non-librarian sitting in a room in the central admin. offices, based mostly on best-seller lists, and mostly with a view toward increasing circulation statistics (certainly the most important criteria in judging a library’s success)? Would it not seem a more logical use of skills to have the professional librarians selecting the materials for their branches - people who actually are working in the branches, in constant contact with library patrons, and familiar with their patrons’ information needs?

Abijah Butler - Jun 15, 2006

By penguinmom

June 29, 2006 11:54 PM | Link to this

As to the whole controversy, I am amazed at the surprise and hysteria coming from the people who think JoAnn shouldn’t have been fired. First, where have you been? If you didn’t want her fired, why haven’t you been at board meetings supporting her for the past 9 months? If you had been paying attention, you would have seen the handwriting on the wall. JoAnn stated specifically that she wasn’t surprised that she was fired.

Now to the hysteria, really folks, can you please take a deep breath? I have been at all of the regular board meetings since January except one. At none of these board meetings did any homeschooler suggest that books be banned. At none of these meetings did any homeschooler suggest that all popular materials be stripped off the shelves. What was requested was that the non-fiction video titles that had been in the library’s collection be restored. What was requested was that a small number of non-fiction and educational titles be purchased that could supplement any child’s education (public, private or homeschooled). All of the requests were for titles to be added to the collection not deleted.

And for those of you who say, ‘I don’t want my tax money spent to purchase educational books for your child’, FINE. Be at the next board meeting and request that the donation policy be changed so that books can be donated to supplement the current collection. At this moment, if I purchase, with my own money, a book (like Genevieve Foster’s George Washington’s World) that would be well-used by the homeschool community and try to give it to the library, it would not be accepted and put on the shelf. So, the only recourse citizens have to get books on the shelf is to send in requests and petition the board for changes in material purchasing priorities.

Obviously, Gwinnett has a good library system. JoAnn, in her own way, may have helped pull the library into the 21st century. But, it’s time for us to move on and get a director who can thoughtfully ensure that future progress is done in a careful and thoughtful way without continuing to decimate the broadness of the collection.

By penguinmom

June 30, 2006 12:56 AM | Link to this

Beni,

Before you throw around incendiary insults, please at least take a little time to find out all sides. And, please, don’t hide behind someone else’s use of the word Naziville to excuse your own 3 paragraph comparison between the library board supporters and Nazi book burners.

I do resent being compared to a Nazi. If you had been at all the recent meetings and met me and talked with others who were speaking at meetings, then you could make whatever statement you wish with at least some knowledge. As it is, you seem to be making broad statements about your fellow citizens whom you’ve never met. I doubt you would accept the same type of racist comments if they were made about you.

Do you know any homeschoolers? (If not, I can introduce you to quite a few in Gwinnett.) Have you asked them how often they use the library? Have you asked them what kinds of materials they would like at the library? Have you looked at the list of materials that the homeschoolers requested? Have you asked any of them personally if they want books removed from the shelf? Have you attended a meeting and talked to the library board members? Have you asked Dale Todd if she is offended about a hug? Have you talked to JoAnn or any staff members?

If your only research for this article was reading your own paper, then perhaps the Nazi label makes sense to you. But, I believe you would have done the subject (and your readers) more justice if you had taken the time to dig deeper before throwing out insults.

By rene

June 30, 2006 05:44 AM | Link to this

Well penguinmom, As a staff member of the library, I have met you. It’s why I can say that I would have failed to use my “inside voice”. We all saw how you raked your eyes over people wearing red at the Board meeting so you could make sure to report on us. We know how you come in now like you own the joint. No one mentions that the day you got yelled at, you and your brood had been in the library harrassing the administration for hours. No, I am not an administrator. I’m just someone who has a balanced view of things. I do a good job and want to keep my job. These days it means keeping a blank face at Board meetings so we don’t seem to react to anything said and to make sure we know YOUR face so we don’t say the wrong thing. I never worried before.

You folks are poor examples of Christianity. Warren talks about humility. I don’t see any on your website. Nor is there any forgiveness, or loving your brother, whether or not your brother is Spanish. You are all that’s wrong with American Christianity: arrogant and not setting an example of love. And your comment to Beni is an illustration of your racism. It’s not the only one I have seen.

By mark

June 30, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this

An appalling lack of civility and self control seems to be a common trait for the “red shirt” crowd. Remember at the meeting when many of the red shirts yelled out in anger and stormed out of the meeting? And who was yelling the loudest and making ugly threats and almost had to be removed by a deputy?

By redshirt

June 30, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this

Yes, we were angry. Tiller was put on the board by Kennerly for one reason. You can bet Kennerly will enjoy playing the hero by not putting her back on the board when her term is up in December. She was a pawn. It does suggest that Pinder did indeed make an enemy or two (the kinds who are judges), but it is usually the case when a woman has such power and is not afraid to use it. If Pinder were a man, she would have been considered tough.

Note how the GCPLwatch folks flooded this blog by copying and pasting articles from their site. They have no sense of balance.

The library belongs to everyone including childless couples, gay people, atheists, blue collar folks, Hindus, and just about everything else in between. Oh yeah, and Mexicans too.

The Homeschoolers were in the library for hours the day they insisted they would not leave until Jo Ann gave into them on every count. They weren’t satisfied to make their statement. Instead, they dragged all their kids with them (the kids ran around all over the place in the office). They were there for so long that they had to breastfeed in front of the administrators who they insisted wouldn’t be allowed to get any work done until the homeschoolers had their way. Anyone else would have eventually got tired and yelled too.

By Denise Varenhorst

June 30, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this

Dear Redshirt, You may be angry, but I cannot allow you to put forth complete lies. You write as though you were witness to our visit to library headquarters on March 17th. I didn’t see you there. Who are you? You are clearly making your story up, because your facts are completely, absolutely wrong. While I was at headquarters, my children sat quietly in a conference room and read library books. At no time did they run around or even walk anywhere unattended, nor did the address Ms. Pinder. We did nothing to prevent the administrators from working. We simply read over the past board meeting minutes quietly, by ourselves, in a conference room. Yes, Ms. Shoulla is a nursing mother and breastfed in the privacy of the conference room, not in front of administrators. The only paperwork Ms. Shoulla requested, and requested politely, is that which Ms. Pinder was required to provide according to the law. At no time did Robin or I insist that we would not leave if we didn’t get particular documents. I challenge you to state who you are and state that you actually witnessed any of the accusations you put forth: 1. That children ran around headquarters 2. That Robin and I refused to leave until we got the documents we wanted 3. That Robin breastfed her baby in front of administrators 4. That we insisted that administrators would not be allowed to get any work done until we got our way 5. That we insisted that we would not leave until Jo Ann gave into us on every count If you cannot state that you are witness to these accusations, and I KNOW for a fact that you cannot, then you have exposed yourself as an appalling liar and the most shameful representative of the Red Shirts I can imagine.

By Robin Shoulla

June 30, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this

Dear riskfortruthtelling,

Are you referring to me? Where ever, dear, did you get the idea the two “very loud homeschooler moms” had anything remotely to do with any decision regarding Mexicans or Spanish materials? If you in part refer to me, I beg you to substantiate these wild accusations. How exactly is it you seem to feel you know (a) how much time I have (b) how I feel about public school, Mexicans, or Spanish language materials? How is it at the same time you seem to have so very little insight into how I feel about the library? Does “common education” refer to the Webster’s definition of “common” : “falling below ordinary standards”? I can hardly believe any good parent wants such an education for their children. I bet you didn’t know my child went to public school for 8 years, the last two schools he attended were “failing” schools, and the CRCT scores this year for the class he would be in were seriously un-excellent. I suppose one could defend schools by pointing out various debatable flaws with standardized testing. I’ll leave it to thoughtful readers to amuse themselves with the irony of a school system that has trouble even grading itself.

If I had pulled my child from public school and put them a $17,000/year private school for the exact same reasons would you have as much disdain for my choice, or is such scorn only reserved for those of us who are dismayed with a failing public school system and without the financial resources to afford private school? Between a rock and a hard place, some of us make the most with what we’ve got. Gosh, in this free society I thought had the right to school my child at home. Of course, you have the right to judge me for it, but despite your harsh accusations I believe I am still innocent until proven guilty.

By penguinmom

June 30, 2006 05:33 PM | Link to this

Dear Rene, I am not one of either of the two homeschool moms who were yelled at. I have a very good relationship with all of the staff that I have met and interacted with. I never actually had any issues with JoAnn Pinder personally, just with some of the way things were done at the library.
I’m sorry the staff feels they can’t react during board meetings. Personally, I have rolled my eyes at what Phyllis (and others) have said before. She can be a little redundant at times. (“I’ve worked in retail for years..”) It had to have been hard to not react during the Dan English/Phyliss “You’re not hearing what I’m saying” episode.
I actually feel a little bad for JoAnn. Being fired is embarrassing no matter how it’s done. Not that I don’t feel it’s her fault she got fired but I do wish it could have been accomplished in less combative way. Unfortunately, Brett made that impossible. I don’t necessarily agree that the board should have stopped him from speaking. I do, however, agree with their final vote. All of that said, I think the hysteria going on at the moment is absurd. The front line staff is the same. The materials management staff is the same. Yes, a new director is going to come in and yes, a slightly new direction is going to be taken but that doesn’t mean buildings are going to be closed or books are going to burn.

By Denise Varenhorst

June 30, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this

Dear Rene, I will assume that you are referring to me with your “the day you got yelled at, you and your brood had been in the library harrassing the administration for hours” remark. First of all, I assume that you already realize that you lashed out at “penguinmom” mistakenly. Second of all, your fear of me is unfounded. Although you know who I am, I have no idea who you are, nor will I try to find out. I am not out to “get” you or anyone else. I have never had a harsh word with anyone at my (Suwanee) library branch, nor at any other branch for that matter. Nor have I ever registered a complaint about any branch staff member either formally or by word of mouth to any board member. I have never noticed much less remarked on any faces anyone has made during any board meeting. As for this remark of yours, “We all saw how you raked your eyes over people wearing red at the Board meeting so you could make sure to report on us.” I’m sorry you felt so paranoid at the meeting. I was looking for a friend who was supposed to meet me there. It turned out she had to wait in the foyer.
And regarding this remark of yours, “We know how you come in now like you own the joint.” I hate to point out the obvious, but as a taxpayer, I DO own the joint! And, I interact at the library no differently than all the other patrons. I smile, get my books, pay my fines, and go home.
And, finally, you say, “there is no forgiveness.” Well, I forgive you for your unwarrented attack on me and “penguinmom.” Now, if you can forgive me for what you percive are my transgressions, we can all get back to enjoying the library and our lives. I genuinely wish you the best.

By enough!

June 30, 2006 09:04 PM | Link to this

Let me get this straight. You’re arguing about Pinder’s demise, whodunnit, how, and why? And, so far, these are your clues: It was Phyllis Oxendine with a broom stick in the haunted house OR It was Dale Todd with an unrequited hug in the love nest OR it was fanatical homeschool mommies in the church with a lead Bible OR it was Pinder herself with a self-inflicted wound caused by the primal scream heard ‘round the county. Just pick one and shut up already! The game’s over and it’s almost the Fourth of July!

By penguinmom

June 30, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this

LOL! Well said ‘enough!’