MY TURN By Richard Siss

Changes needed at the library The uncertainties of the Pike County Library System are disconcerting in that the Library Board is still in control and making decisions about library services that confound. For example, while moaning about lack of funds and threatening to close the Lackawaxsen branch, the board has arranged for an annex to be opened at the old school building (in Milford, of course). Puzzling. A brokjen-hearted newspaper editor (11/12/09 P.C.D.) and writers of letters to the editor (11/26/09 P.C.D.) have urged-calmness, restraint and diplomacy in dealing with the board, no recriminations or retribution. Particularly the danger of a redesigned charter for the library with involvement of the commissioners and municipal entities is warned against because of the threat of “politicizing” a process of board membership appointment and governance. We are; reminded that the public library is a cultural institution more than a business or government enterprise and that the current board has cultural background and connections in the arts, fundraising abilities and a broad array of skills, talents and experiences. Government involvement would be unlikely to achieve cohesiveness on the board or attract time, talent and treasure of dedicated volunteers and donors. Why not? I assert that there is ample replacement talent with cultural background, connection to the arts, fund-raising ability in the community at large. A more important problem given would be that it would make it almost impossible to “throw the bums out” (not my phrase or concept) should that be necessary in the future because of the complications to confront future change in the library board. Under such a system, we can forget about accountability to the taxpayers or the stakeholders such as users, volunteers and donors. Really? Isn’t that what we have now? According to the board, it has been trying since 2003 to provide library facilities and services across the county. But where are we; back at square one after much fanfare, grand designs, wasted funds, propaganda, campaign activity, a failed referendum with expenses that have provided little but dissipation, rancor and consternation despite the alleged talents, connections and background. Perhaps a likely reason is that there has been so much cohesiveness and loyalty to a single-minded purpose seemingly, personalized to meet “the needs of the board,” that did not heed input from the public, taxpayers or resigned members. The method of appointment can be described as “cronyism” which is a politicized system as any other political party or municipal arrangement. Maybe what is needed is disparate representation or election so that diverse views have a chance to affect accountability across the county. It is an insult to democracy in the county to imply in advance that replacement of the indispensable current board might someday require “throwing the (new) bums out”. The misdirected activities and blundering of the board in planning and spending has impaired the credibility of the board. The board members in their empire have been exposed as naked and without clothes on the runway regardless of their connections to the arts, cultural background and array of skills, talents and experiences. What good is fund-raising ability if the donations are tentative or wasted? Why are the board members so resistant to salvage their credit by resigning? They seem to have acquired the domain and rule of an empire and are reluctant to yield their sovereignty. Their vigorous hanging on as well as some allies and donors might be a reflection of personal gratification and glory rather than a sincere interest in improved and widespread library services. That would be a shame. How much patience is in good taste in waiting for the board to introspect the obvious and rescue their dignity by resigning? The library has a director who should be able to carry on the business affairs of the system in the interim should the board members resign.