To the Readers' Forum:
I compliment Tom Rankin for his well-organized piece in The Post-Journal concerning change at the Prendergast Library. I was glad to see his extensive list of services provided to us by our library. It is indeed a jewel of our community which should be treasured and sustained through our use and financial contributions, when possible.
Mr. Rankin said change is coming to the library. I would beg to differ. Change has already come. During the tenures of the previous head librarians our library changed and evolved with the times. Had it not done so we would not have the library we currently enjoy.
The problem many of us have with recent and proposed changes is that we do not understand the reason behind them. And may I remind you that there is a difference between an explanation and a reason. Are these changes being made for the good of the library and its patrons or is it change for the sake of change or change because that is what everyone else is doing?
While librarians will be much more informed about the changes and trends in other libraries across the country, I would suggest that eliciting the opinions of the public concerning changes they would like to see would be helpful in the formulation of the changes for our library and support for those changes once they are instituted. After all, the library does belong to the people.
Changes in leadership occur all the time in all kinds of situations. But whether it be a new CEO for a company, a new pastor in a church, a new manager of a team or a new head librarian for a library, if that leader cannot gain and keep the support of the public, they cannot and will not be effective in their new roles.
I urge everyone who is concerned about the future of our library, whatever their position in the current situation, to make their voices heard.
Shirlea Ann Roman
Jamestown