This post is not on our list...BUT...I need to share this with my friends. I came back from our week of training so pumped up and ready to go and I believe I managed to share that fact with everyone I came in contact with today.
So in keeping with my excitement and recharged batteries and taking to heart the advice to start attending my county commission meetings I did just that tonight. Now, there was a tiny reason in the back of my mind all this time saying you need to go but I always talked myself out of it because I knew it would not be pretty. Boy, was I right!!!!!
To say this meeting has sucked all the excitement from my soul would be an understatement. Words cannot describe the experience I just returned from. I believe you would not find this type of behavior in a zoo. Without going into great details to give an example I will say this. One commissioner will not even address the county executive. She relays her messages to him through the chairperson and the county executive is sitting at the same table she is. Really, this is professional? It's no wonder I am the lowest paid director in the whole United States and possibly the world. How sad. This meeting has really taken the wind out of my sails. Is this just my county or is this all across the nation? I really want to know.
Pam's Point: Even though I am very disappointed at what I witnessed I will press on. Going to rethink some things? Definitely.
It has been my experience that this type of behavior among elected officials, no matter the county, is not that unusual. I am sorry that it deflated you and the excitement you gained from attending PLMI. I hope that you don't let it keep you that way. Turning the tide and making your library better will not be easy. But, hang in there; I believe you are the one to do it.
ReplyDeleteThanks David. I needed to hear this and I will save it to read over and over when I need it.
DeleteDon't be discouraged, the fact that you were able to parse out the problems of the group and know that you aren't the problem but the solution is HUGE! You have to figure out now how to get your own agenda through in a dysfunctional environment. You for sure are not the only one and we can work on this skill set! I believe you will be completely successful, remember, one positive person will bring up the group, so your influence and professionalism alone will make an impact.
ReplyDeleteYes Heather, I think we certainly have a skill set to work on now! I have to keep in mind all that I have already accomplished whether they appreciate it or not. Yesterday in fact, I had an upstanding gentleman in the community tell me he thought all I did was hand out books basically. Needless to say he is now very enlightened about the library. :)
DeleteI agree with David and Heather. Don't let it get you down, but look at it as a learning experience. You now know what you DON'T want to look like to others! Also, remember that as a citizen of your community, you have a voice, and though you have to be careful to balance that with your role as librarian, you can find ways to share with others the community's need to have a professional and functioning commission. You can rise above this and continue to work to convey the library's value to the commission even if they won't talk to each other. Hang in there and don't be discouraged. Righteous anger is sometimes a great motivator!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carol and so true. I have always had it in the back of my mind to someday run for county office. I'm seriously rethinking that goal now. I know that's the easy way out but I have never seen such childish behavior. Well, except for Congress. What does that say about our nation as a whole? That's a whole other blog!!!
DeleteThanks to all of you for the encouraging words! I am not one to back down from a challenge and this is certainly going to be one. At least now I know the mentality and age group I am dealing with. I did not have any interaction with them last night BUT I will. As I sat listening in total disbelief at what I was seeing and hearing I did take note of a few things that should come in handy when it comes time for the new budget next year. It is already set in stone for this year but I will be ready next year.
ReplyDeleteI was just speaking with my Regional Director and she relayed to me that our county actually has some sort of agreement in place stating they only have to EVER pay us minimum wage. Who in the world signed a deal like that??? So to say my struggle is uphill is an understatement.
My situation at the moment allows for me to work for such low pay but that may not always be the case and I am taking your advice Heather to keep my updated resume handy.
Thanks again for the comments and I am certain I will need to hear them again at some point. After what I witnessed last night, I am in awe we even have a functioning county at all. It was embarrassing.
Be patient Pamela. I know, easier said than done. Just remember, we do what we do for the passion of helping others help themselves and be lifelong learners. Our reward is just self-satisfaction sometimes: knowing we have been an asset to the children and our communities. Determine to have a blessed day!
ReplyDeleteOk, Pam, here goes. When I came on at the Library, we had a number of commissioners who had publicly and without apology stated that they saw no need for a library...basically it was a waste of money and the new building was only a disaster and money hole. It is a common attitude, especially in a small town. But, there are always those that do see things in a positive light and those are the people you must seek out and win over! I saw it as a challenge and found ways to find out who felt what way and WHY!! When I had an understanding of why they felt the library was a waste, I hit the ground running and implemented as many things as I could that turned that attitude around. Needless to say, it worked and it worked much faster than I had anticipated. Once the community was excited about what we are doing, the elected officials pretty quickly followed suit. Long story short, some of those who wanted to close the library just voted in favor of a budget increase. So, the moral is that you have to tap into your inner politician and give them something to talk about! You can do it, I have no doubt!
ReplyDeleteI love it! Let's hope next year I can write a post like that. I've even heard that a man said that a library only needs to be open an hour per day. His reasoning was that everyone should be able to get everything they need in that amount of time. You know what is most scary about that comment? It was from a man who was a former educator in the school system. Wow. So I'm going to refer back to your post when I get down and remember I am not alone in my struggle. Thanks!!
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