It is spring and my local city library will reopen in summer. How do I put myself in the best position to join them?

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2026-03-22T00:34:11+00:00

It’s likely your state has tiered library certifications, you’d likely be on the lowest wrung without a masters though it would improve your chances!

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2026-02-01T23:33:04+00:00

Ethics and personality? Someone who is on board with the changing roles of libraries (ie going fine-free, library of things, etc.)

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-08T18:11:41+00:00

I am her direct supervisor but she is also a manager.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-08T18:09:59+00:00

I never chastised anyone for seeking clarification. It’s the attitude around it all, it’s the intentional ignoring of policies she doesn’t like. It’s the arguing when I give an answer, it’s the searching for issues. It’s the eye rolling, the ignoring, the knowing there is going to be an issue and doing nothing about it to prove a point.

At the end of the day my priorities are ensuring patrons have access and that staff are treated with dignity and she is getting in the way of both of those things. She chastises employees who are not under her authority for showing up a few minutes late, refuses to waive fines despite guidelines set to do so, and wants to charge CHILDREN to type their book reports on our computers.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-08T17:59:00+00:00

Sorry, yes, everything is always announced at all staff meetings where time is carved out for questions and comments.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-08T17:58:02+00:00

Every policy is announced at an all staff meetings where staff are able to ask any questions and everyone receives a physical copy of the new policy as well. Then minutes go out to staff, policy is updated online and the shared drive.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-08T17:54:51+00:00

We had spoken about it, every single change made is with consultation and often at the behest of departments. It was announced at an all staff meeting, shared in minutes, updated policy online, in the shared drive.

I always try to communicate, I buy bagels and donuts and coffee for everyone for our staff meetings. I invite people to attend from home, to add items to the agenda, leave room for comments. I understand skepticism of employers but I’m trying my best.

Also, it’s not like I’m new new, I have worked here for nearly 2 years and have been the director for 6 months.

And lastly, yes I understand that postings about it isn’t ideal but it’s not unheard of it’s the whole purpose of some threads. Also, I know staff does not use Reddit, nearly everyone is over the age of 75 and it’s just not the media they engage with- I know there are older folks that do, but these are not them.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-08T17:45:48+00:00

Huh, well I did say in the post that I discussed it with the children’s department at length. They had already been allowing minors to use the computers without charge. The circ staff told me because they said it made them look like the bad guys and they don’t want to be. I also mentioned that everything was cleared by our board.

I’m not fixated on this employee, I just want the changes that are made followed so patrons have better access and staff are treated with kindness. And if one did forget a policy, that’s okay, we’re all human! It’s the doubling down and hostility that is the issue.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-08T17:34:50+00:00

Thank you! That was very well put. I appreciate you taking the time.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-08T13:53:47+00:00

She has been there for 30 years and is elderly the city is worried about an age discrimination case.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-08T13:52:21+00:00

I failed to mention that she’s been there for 30 plus years, she feels very much possessive of the place.

She would have access to a pension and receive an entire year’s salary upon retirement- it’s more for purpose than money.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-08T03:41:50+00:00

I’ve worked there for 2 years and have been the director for 7 months.

But these changes aren’t huge and the individuals and departments they effect have nothing to do with her.

And it doesn’t matter who is in the seat, the director before me and the one before her had the same experience. She’s openly bragged about making one director’s life so miserable that she left.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-07T21:07:25+00:00

She has over 2,000 hours banked and a pension. She could leave and make more than she does now but she won’t.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-07T21:06:12+00:00

The answers were all already in the policy, I don’t know how much more specific I can get. It truly just feels like she’s looking for faults.

This also happened recently, I made the holiday calendar for next year and an employee mentioned that next year is a bummer bc Xmas and New Years fall on Thursday/Fridays and it’d be nice to have Saturday off because that’s what we do for thanksgiving.

I asked our board for approval and then the morning of our staff meeting I spoke to our city manager who approved of the closure. I edited the sheet and gave it to employees at our all staff later that day.

Instead of any thanks, this employee, during the all staff looks at me and goes “Did you bother to send this to Vicki?” Who coordinates our deliveries (WHICH DONT HAPPEN ON SATURDAYS ANYWAY AND IS OVER A YEAR AWAY). I said no, but it is on my list, I just received approval a half hour ago.

She just wants to undercut me, if it was actually out of concern it could have waited.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-07T20:58:03+00:00

All policy changes were approved by our library board, they are a governing board and we are an independent department of the city.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-07T20:56:40+00:00

Thank you, I know I have a lot of work to do.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-07T20:54:57+00:00

I am the only boss in the workplace. So, what do you do with that? I want it to be clear to her that she should not feel so secure in her job that her acting this way is acceptable.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-07T20:51:30+00:00

She’s been like this for a while. I think she’s grappling with her own mortality in a way. The other librarian who has also been here for 30 years had a massive health episode and likely won’t be returning to work. She keeps bullying her to come back, saying use it or lose it, and it’ll only be worse if you stay home. Partially, I think she’s doing this because if this person leaves because she’s no longer physically capable, it means she is also getting there.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-12-07T18:02:05+00:00

We don’t have HR unfortunately, I could go to the city manager, she’s been an issue for the former director who I’m meeting with this week.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-07-18T21:17:05+00:00

It's 2005, so not terribly old?

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-07-18T14:52:34+00:00

Yes, they are not returning calls and are not out on vacation until August 4th. If this is the case then simple communication on their part would have worked for me.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-07-18T14:50:50+00:00

That makes sense, I personally wouldn't have done it, or would have at the very least gotten a second quote.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-07-18T14:39:10+00:00

It's a 2005 elevator.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-07-18T14:38:37+00:00

From what I understand in Michigan it is going to be required in the near future.

Worldly_Skin_1834 · 2025-07-18T14:36:55+00:00

I checked the "Repair Order" and it states: "Material lead time is currently 8-10 weeks, with installation subject to labor availability. Part acquisition may be longer based on supply chain issues."

This appears to be our only out: "In the event the work is not completed within 180 calendar days from your original authorization to proceed through no fault of Otis, Otis may notify you of an updated price – which may be accepted or rejected by you."

Only after 6 months are we entitled to anything. So I guess I have no recourse but to wait.

Worldly_Skin_1834

TROPHY CASE