posted by Mike Madison at 4:35 PM /
Here's something to spice up your Mt. Lebanon weekend. I'm reproducing an email that I received this afternoon regarding the Mt. Lebanon library. The email is self-explanatory. I do not know enough about the underlying question to have an opinion on the specific question that it raises, but that is precisely the point: Those who do have more information can debate the point here. The Library is a special resource for Mt. Lebanon residents. Like other key resources, it should be front and center in public conversations about the future of Mt. Lebanon.
As to the value of libraries generally in the 21st century, there should be no doubt: Despite the amazing resources of the Internet, libraries and librarians are more important to communities and culture than they ever have been. Cutting budgets, cutting staff, cutting operations, cutting programs -- all of these are short-sighted responses to the myth that information is already "out there" for anyone to find online, and they dis-serve citizens of every generation. (Read more at this post.)
As to the value of libraries generally in the 21st century, there should be no doubt: Despite the amazing resources of the Internet, libraries and librarians are more important to communities and culture than they ever have been. Cutting budgets, cutting staff, cutting operations, cutting programs -- all of these are short-sighted responses to the myth that information is already "out there" for anyone to find online, and they dis-serve citizens of every generation. (Read more at this post.)
Below is an email sent by Anne Kemerer. As a former Trustee of the Library I completely agree with Anne's statements and concerns. Mr. Humphreys is not a friend of our public library, and his appointment to the Board of Trustees would be yet another step in the municipality's attempt to control this public treasure. Please call the commissioners who voted in favor of this appointment and tell them that you strongly disagree with this action. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Anne or me. My home # is 412-341-4463 and my office # is 412-922-9090. This is urgent. If you love your library please make the call.
Joe Wertheim
former President
Mt. Lebanon Public Library Board of Trustees
Dear library friends:
I learned this morning that David Humphreys has been appointed to one of the open positions on the Library Board. This is a very, very bad thing for the Mt. Lebanon Public LIbrary, as Mr. Humphreys had indicated time and again that he believe that the library is mismanaged, that money is being spent frivolously, the the library offers too many programs, etc. Mr. Humphreys has consistently treated Cynthia Richey and the Library Board of Trustees with disdain and disrespect during budget meetings, and was the main proponent in appointing Marcia Taylor to the Board two years ago to help "rein in costs".
Some of the facts are:
- Since 2000, circulation has risen by an average of 4.8% per year while our municipal budget allocation has only risen by 2.4% per year.
- The library has not spent more than it was budgeted in at least the last 8 years.
This position was clearly given to Mr. Humphreys as a political favor - the democrats on the commission voted against him and the republicans voted for - since he is hugely inappropriate as a candidate.
HE IS NOT A FRIEND TO OUR LIBRARY!!! He wants to cut costs, cut services, cut staff, and cut "amenities", like computers and programs.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!
This appointment was made last night, but does not become official until the installation in three weeks. CALL OR EMAIL YOUR COMMISSIONER (or all the commissioners who voted for Mr. Humphreys) NOW with your objection to this appointment!!!
Here are the contacts (from the municipal web site) of the ones who voted for Mr. Humphreys:
Ward 1: Raja: draja@mtlebanon.org 412-341-7252
Ward 3: Joe DeIuliis: jdeiuliis@mtlebanon.org 412-670-2584
Ward 4: Dale Colby: dcolby@mtlebanon.org 412-341-9473
This is an important appointment. In combination with Marcia Taylor, who is already sitting on the board as a watchdog, David Humphreys will work to cut, cut, cut, making our library no more than a book distribution center, not the thriving intellectual hub that it is now.
Thank you for any help you can provide!
Sincerely,
Anne Kemerer
Labels: mt lebanon library
10 Comments:
Amen to Mike. I am particularly disappointed in Dale Colby for this vote. He should know better. Maybe Commish Deilius and Raja just don't know any better and have been hoodwinked by Mr. Humphreys. Also, what is wrong with getting NEW people involved with the system - Mr. Humphreys was a commish since 1955 (exaggeration). Can the three commish's please post a reasoning as to their vote on blog lebo? I think many people would appreciate that. I look forward to hearing from the "Humphreys Three"...
If I'm not mistaken, until M. Taylor's appointment (which itself was controversial) the Library Board has always consisted of volunteers from the general population. The Library Board has always been an impressive roster of business people and interested citizens. Certainly a competent bunch. Therefore, I'm curious as to why the municipality and the commission now feel compelled to want a role (or 2) in its operation.
Nobody would be better than former MTL Commissioner David Humphreys ... the seat on the Library Board would be better off left vacant.
The poop on Mr. Humphreys is that he is a zealot for what he believes. I have agreed with him many times on many issues. However, the problem is he routinely refuses to be influenced by facts. We are looking at a potential train wreck in the making.
The Mt. Lebanon library was one of the points that drew us to this community when we moved here in 2003.
By appointing people to the board who seek to cut that resource, you are sending a message to other young families.
There is fiscal responsibility, and then there is cutting off your nose despite your face.
I don't understand why three of our commissioners would appoint someone to the board who is hostile to a much loved and utilized resource.
Seems inexplicable to me...
When Assistant Manager, Marcia Taylor was appointed to the Library Board, then Commissioner Humphreys was quoted in The Almanac (05/17/06): “What we need is to get these expenses under control. They need to be putting money away for crunch time. When RAD and the state were giving high subsidies, they used that money for furniture, the courtyard and building amenities. When the crunch came, they weren’t able to function. It’s created a strain on the municipality and all we can do is raise taxes to make up the shortfall. What they need is a tightening of the belt and I think Marcia can help them do that.”
Balderdash!
The library is one of the best performing and fiscally responsible municipal related entities. While RAD and the state were reducing library subsidies, Commissioner Humphreys and his band of merry men and women at the municipality were raising taxes. Comparing 2006 vs. 2000 -- total municipal tax revenue was up 35%.
BUT NOT BECAUSE OF THE LIBRARY. The library received only a modest increase in its annual appropriation over the same 6-year period (15.4%). All the while, contending with significant reductions from other sources. Who needed to have their belt tightened?
I very much appreciate the support of the municipality for the library, the professional staff and volunteers and the steadfast commitment of the Friends of Mt. Lebanon Library. Over many years, the Friends have made a tremendous difference with the library and its services. Come to think of it -- much of what Mr. Humphreys fusses about was provided by the Friends. Ingrate comes to mind.
I recently heard that one of the commish's proposed 'discussing' this issue at a local republican committee meeting. Can anyone verify this info? If true, I am deeply distressed by this as this is a community issue that should be discussed in the light of day of a commission meeting rather than a partisan political issue discussed in a smoke filled room. Also, I am still awaiting an explanation/rationale from ANY of the three.
This year - like never before - Mt. Lebanon was soliciting volunteers for its boards and authorities. Their pleas appeared on TV, in the Almanac, in the MTL and in the P-G. If Mr. Humphreys was one of many candidates for the Library vacancy, it is unfortunate that the commission was unwilling to give another capable resident a chance to be involved.
As an aside, the increase in board and authority vacancies may be a direct result of the treatment that these volunteers receive while serving. I know from my 6 years of experience that Lebo is becoming increasingly angry. Cordial board meetings among neighbors have turned into 3 hour sessions of shouting and finger pointing. Everyone wants a solution to their individual problem, and they want it now. We all need to be a bit more polite and patient, or the boards will have fewer and fewer good volunteers.
Dave,
I agree with you. It is unfortunate that another volunteer was not selected. It makes me wonder what their criteria were.
Stuart: I have heard back from Mr. Raja via email. Like you, I would hope that he and the other Commissioners who made this appointment would feel compelled to explain their decision on this or other forums.
My suggestion is that as many people as possible attend next Monday's Commission meeting at 8PM. If we can't get a response through this forum, then we should show up in person.
As someone who was very active in the commissioners' races last November (when turnout was abysmally low because it wasn't an "exciting" election), I feel compelled to point out that this is an excellent example of why it's especially important to vote in "boring" local elections.
Obama, Hillary, or John McCain will have little to do with our library, which matters greatly to so many of us in Mt. Lebanon. But simply put, the election of Mr. Raja and Mr. DeIliius is what made the pending appointment of Mr. Humphreys possible.
We'll all vote enthusiastically next month, and in November. But I would strongly urge everyone to consider next year as well, when two seats on the commission will be contested.
Vote. Get involved. Consider running yourself, if you're in wards 2 or 4. Clearly, it matters.
I have been a Mt. Lebanon resident for 26 years. This is the first time I am writing to question a decision made by either the Commissioners or the School Board. Simply put: I am outraged! The Library is clearly a vibrant center for learning in Mt. Lebanon. On practically any day, at any time, visitors will see people of every age taking advantage of its services. It is CROWDED at various times with children studying after school, preschool children taking advantage of early reading programs, and adults and children taking attending book clubs, lectures, and classes. What were you thinking is excessive in Library spending? What constituency should be sacrificed? Are we supposed to return to the time when the Library was forced to operate 6 days a week? What exactly were the Commissioners thinking who supported this choice? More importantly, what makes them think Library funds should be cut -- or simply scrutinized more closely? What makes them think the Library should become a political football?
I plan to attend the commissioners' meeting this evening, probably leaving the ceremony in which my son receives a varsity letter early because I need to hear the justification for this decision. It is very unfortunate when decisions affecting the future of one of Mt. Lebanon's treasures are made so cavalierly and with so little regard to the wishes of residents. I hope the Commissioners who voted for this appointment are prepared to reconsider a vote that reflects so poorly on their judgment.
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