Library staff praised for civic spirit

FACED WITH budget shortfalls and the prospect of layoffs, some Council 2 unions have agreed to take a day’s furlough here and there during the year. But Local 2083, representing staff at the Seattle Public Library, agreed to take a full week of unpaid leave all at once: From August 31 to September 8.

The reason: The budget crisis facing the library is more severe than in other cases and needed more drastic action more quickly. And, as in other cases, the loss of a week’s pay was preferable to layoffs.

Local Executive Vice President Linda Saunto with her dog, Fiona

Management praise for the move was expressed when, on August 31, Local 2083 members held a meeting at the library at which they turned an unpaid day into an opportunity to give back to the community. At the regular opening time of 10 a.m. staff distributed homemade lemonade to library patrons and passersby. Staff said they had volunteered for community projects during the week.

“The staff at the Seattle Public Library is fully aware of the economic hardship our country and community is going through,” said Local 2083 President Dave Lonergan. “We see it every day as we help our patrons. We recognize that a library furlough poses great challenges to the citizens of Seattle, who in 1998 approved the largest building levy in Seattle history to build new libraries and remodel existing ones.”

Susan Hildreth

Ironically, Lonergan added, the cut comes in a service being more used by the public. “More people are coming through our doors than ever before, the number of holds placed on books has dramatically increased, and our dvd collection is used more than ever for family entertainment.”

And, at a time of economic downturn, more people are looking to the library for resources to help them find employment and develop basic skills that make them more competitive in a difficult job market, Lonergan said.

Support for Local 2083 came from City Librarian Susan Hildreth. “I think it is great that they are really trying to make sure the community understands that they are taking a pay cut to use their time to help others,” she said. “We would rather be providing the public with our services, but if we cannot, this is a good alternative.”

Eric Liu

Support also came from Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, who attended the ceremony. “What is heartwarming to me is that they decided to take the week off without pay rather than see their fellow workers lose their jobs.

“In addition, they are not just taking that time off, but are putting it back into their community.”

Library Board President Eric Liu said, “I want them to know on behalf of the trustees, how much we appreciate the dedication of the people who work at the library.

“It makes me sad that our budget requires the furlough, but it makes me proud to be here with everybody and see the passion, the civic spirit and the great sense of pride in ownership they demonstrate.”

Above: Local 2083 meet outside closed Seattle Public Library. Top: Local Vice President Henry Brown speaks with Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels. Right: President Dave Lonergan interviewed for television. Below: Nebiyu Abateneh and Darlene Hamilton hold banner.