Library Board Rescinds Personnel Decisions

The following release was submitted by Garden City Public Library director Carolyn Voegler on behalf of library board chair Randy Colahan:

"Staffing decisions voted on unanimously on Monday, May 6, 2013 by the Board of Library Trustees at a Special Meeting were rescinded by the Library Board at the regular monthly meeting on June 10, 2013. At the May 6th meeting, the Library Board voted to abolish one full-time (35 hours/week) typist clerk position, one full-time (40 hours/week) maintainer position and three part-time typist clerk positions.

"The Library Board was informed on May 31st that Civil Service would not approve some of the above changes. Additionally, contrary to their prior understanding, the Library Board was informed by the village counsel that part-time employees were not required to be laid off before laying off full-time employees. As a result, the personnel decisions were rescinded at the Monday, June 10th Library Board’s regular meeting.

"At the June 10th meeting the Library Board voted unanimously to abolish two full-time typist clerk positions, one full-time maintainer position and one full-time maintenance helper position effective July 5, 2013. The Library Board also voted to create a 4/10th maintainer position and 4/10th maintenance helper position effective July 8, 2013.

"The Library Board of Trustees is not in favor of laying off staff. Given the reduction in the village contribution to the Library, and looking at the two largest categories – personnel and library materials, tough decisions had to be made.  The Library Board did not want to reduce library materials further which have been reduced about 40% during the last several years. Although all layoffs effect services, the Library Board feels that the layoffs decided upon will have the least negative impact on services. All layoffs still need to be voted on and forwarded by the village to Civil Service and approved by them.

“The Village is still negotiating with CSEA to obtain cost savings to try to avert layoffs. Also the Village is the entity to effectuate the layoffs and is still considering options to insure compliance with Civil Service provisions.

"The difficult decisions approved at the May 6, 2013 meeting to increase overdue fines to 25 cents a day and charge patrons 10 cents a page for printed paper were implemented as of June 1st and continues to be in place. The decision to close on Sundays is also still in place. However, the Library traditionally is not open on Sunday in the summer through mid-October. The Library Board agreed at the June 10, 2013 meeting to review other savings options and to re-examine closing on Sundays. A decision on Sundays is due by early September."