The current time is
Library Board Under Fire for Pulling Book Sale
»
Karen Haave
-
Frankfort Neue Press
-
August 28, 2008
A controversial move by the Frankfort Library Board of Trustees has library district residents angry and demanding an explanation.
The foul mood is the aftermath of the board's decision last month to make changes in the popular ongoing Used Book Sale headed for decades by veteran volunteer and current Board President Kay MacNeil.
Trustees in July abruptly yanked the book sale from MacNeil's supervision after closed session discussion, reportedly at the behest of temporary Library Director Mary Sue Brown. Brown is serving in the managerial post until a replacement can be found for former Administrator Detlev Pansch, who resigned earlier this summer. Library officials said Brown is not under consideration for permanent employment in the position.
Sources said that Brown "didn't like the way the Book Sale tables looked, and complained that they crowded the library space." Brown also was said to have turned away a donation of more than 40 boxes of books "without even opening them, because she said there wasn't room for them."
story continues below »
Meanwhile, many residents are questioning the wisdom of the timing of such a divisive decision by the board of trustees, with a 2009 referendum for library expansion in the planning. Some are threatening to withhold referendum support.
Library officials are tightlipped about the flap, and have yet to say exactly what will happen with the lucrative Book Sale that has saved hundreds of thousands of donated books from landfills and made reading even more affordable to many. The sale is said to generate more than $25,000 a year, all of which MacNeil turned over to the library, where it was used for collection development and special programs.
Area residents are furious that the huge Book Sale has disappeared and that MacNeil has been removed from involvement with it. The board assigned supervision of the sale to the volunteer group, Friends of the Frankfort Library, headed by Teresa Stinnett.
The Friends also focus on fundraising for the library but have never had the visibility or success that MacNeil's Book Sale has. Stinnett and her group have readily taken over the Book Sale.
In a prepared statement, Stinnett said, "Because of the recent changes within the Frankfort Public Library, our organization, Friends of the Frankfort Public Library, has assumed the responsibility of the Book Sale. This was done at the request of the interim director. We welcome this challenge and appreciate the traditions and effort established by Kay McNeil (sic) and her volunteers.
At this time, we wish to assure the trustees:
1. That all monies generated from the sale will continue to be used in support of library equipment and programs.
2. Staff will continue to pull out from books donated any new book needed in our current collection. In addition, staff will switch out any books donated that are in better condition than the books we currently have on-shelf.
3. The Friends of the Frankfort Public Library are all dedicated, professional and very talented people. We have and will continue to do what is needed to keep our Book Sale profitable.
In closing, our organization runs several yearly fundraising projects which have provided dollars for... a flat screen digital calendar, media system with surround sound, shelving, display case, Book Pages and summer reading programs.
"This list is a small sample of the programs and library equipment we have been able to purchase, thanks to our fundraising efforts," Stinneft said.
MacNeil, reportedly "devastated" over the move, has declined to talk about the dust-up publicly. A longtime resident of Frankfort, she has been a tireless supporter of Frankfort Library, organizing and advertising the Book Sale, as well as contributing hundreds of hours maintaining, seeding, weeding and planting the library grounds gardens and the adjacent Eris Rudman Prairie site.
Her supporters have said the library district "couldn't afford to hire the people it would take to do all that she has done as a volunteer."
Ironically, the Friends honored MacNeil last year with a plaque, a book gift and a small reception, in thanks for her exemplary efforts on behalf of the library district.
During the public comment segment of Thursday's meeting of the Board of Trustees, a woman asked what the plans are for the Book Sale and whether it will return, "the same as before...as large as it was."
Trustees were stone-faced. Trustee Rick Jones replied tersely, "Probably not."
Board President MacNeil explained briefly to the woman that the public comment segment actually is intended to allow residents to speak their opinions or give statements relating to the library, but it is not the appropriate forum for board members to give responses to questions.
Then she added, "We don't know" what will happen to the Book Sale.
Members of the board reportedly have said they will continue to discuss the issue at next month's meeting.
_
LATEST NEWS
SEARCH THE SITE
