Extra
Whistle Blowing Rally for Whistle Blower Workers at Berkeley Public Library -- public requests guarantees against punitive action for library workers (Public Comment)
Rampant weeding decimates public library book collection
Blowing loud whistles and raising colorful signs, library users and members of the public will gather on the steps of the Central Berkeley Public Library to support brave library employees.
WHEN: TUESDAY, JULY 28th, 11:30 AM
WHERE: Central Berkeley Public Library, Front Steps
2090 Kittredge at Shattuck, downtown Berkeley
The public requests an absolute guarantee against punitive action for any library worker who’s participated in the Board of Library Trustees meetings, or in meeting with the library director, Jeff Scott.
Librarians signed and delivered a letter to the Board of Library Trustees requesting that the Library Director reconsider new collection development and maintenance plans. Thousands and thousands of books have been tossed without the librarians” professional input. 80% of the current librarians have no confidence in the library director’s plan for collection development or weeding. Other workers have attended the Board of Library Trustees meetings in support. There are threats of retaliation for speaking up in meetings.
The public requests protection for the library workers, a moratorium on rampant weeding, and a return of the librarians to their work in buying and selecting books:
actual input by all librarians, not just two managers and four helpers.there will be an interlude of artistic whistling during the rally.
BACKGROUND:
Thousands and thousands of books at Berkeley Public Library have been rampantly tossed out the back door and pulped over the past months. The new library director has stated that all books on the shelves that haven’t circulated in the last three* years must go. *ten years for Art & Music Books, but ratcheted to seven years last week deviating from standard library practice, librarians are locked out of book selection and weeding, with no direct access to the book budget. Previously, 34 professional librarians had been doing the book buying and weeding—now, two managers alone do it, with partial input from only four other librarians. Berkeley Public Library—once a destination library—is now becoming a decimated library.
Time is of the essence, as hundredsof books are being lost daily.
