Library System Cuts

Re “Library System Plans to Cut 15 Full-Time Jobs,” Jan. 24.

Supervisor Frank Schillo has some nerve to say that Ventura County libraries will be “in a much better position to provide better service to the public” after library layoffs occur. An open library with no librarians is as good as a restaurant with no chefs.

I am a full-time professional librarian who works for Los Angeles Public Library but who has lived in Ventura County for more than 20 years. I worked briefly for the Ventura County library system as a part-time “temporary” employee last summer after earning my master’s degree in library science. Unable to earn a decent wage there, in addition to having no sick time, vacation hours or health benefits, I was forced to find work outside the county. Under the current restructuring plan, the number of such “temporary” positions would increase by six. Perhaps they are called temporary because no one wants to stay in them long?

I was also appalled to read that city leaders had actually complained that too little time was spent on basic needs--such as ordering new books. It is difficult to spend much time buying books when you have virtually no book budget with which to purchase them! Is not paying your employees a living wage with benefits a “basic need” in running a successful organization? Not if you don’t mind rapid employee turnover and low worker morale, which only threatens to worsen, as will public service, if these layoffs occur.

MADELINE J. SIBLE

Thousand Oaks

* Cutbacks in full- and part-time positions within the Library Services Agency have the standard cast of characters abuzz once more. The songs remain exactly the same save for one added verse--the county employees union has joined Save Our Libraries stalwarts in calling for more money to be thrown into the system.

Interim director Richard Rowe has done a remarkable job of not only keeping a certain five branches open, but all branches operating longer hours without any significant increase in the agency’s budget. In the fat-trimming era, the LSA is running quite nicely on half of its once $10 million-plus high.

And in regard to the soon-to-be-displaced 15 employees and their union officials, it would be nice for all of them to remember and admit to the fact that every government agency is in place to provide some form of service to the public, not to create and perpetuate careers that provide benefits and retirements for people from whom unions can garner dues.

BRUCE ROLAND

Ojai