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At an Outsourced Library, a Director’s Departure Raises Questions
September 4, 2007

It’s hard to know exactly what to make of the news from the Jackson-Madison County Library, TN, where Director Valerie Doyle, hired by outsourcing firm LSSI in January, resigned. An article in the Jackson Sun, headlined Library seeks new director, quotes LSSI VP Steve Coffman as suggesting that contentiousness between Doyle and her staff may have resulted in disputes over weeding—hard for some veterans to accept.

"There have been huge fights, and people who have been upset with each other, and I would really like to see someone who can heal the library," he said. Coffman, now the library’s interim director, offers one perspective; Doyle couldn’t be reached by the newspaper. 

Will local officials get to the bottom of the dispute? It’s questionable, given that LSSI's responsibility is to supply management rather than ventilate personnel issues. But if the personnel issues reflect on the function and direction of the library, that’s an argument for more sunshine, rather than less, and a caution for those considering outsourcing or writing contracts..


Posted by Norman Oder on September 4, 2007 | Comments (4)


September 7, 2007
In response to: At an Outsourced Library, a Director’s Departure Raises Questions
Rogue Valleyite commented:

Perhaps you could come speak in the Rogue Valley of Oregon, where the county is about to outsource its libraries to LSSI?




October 11, 2007
In response to: At an Outsourced Library, a Director’s Departure Raises Questions
Thomas Aud commented:

As the former library director (before LSSI) and as an informed observer, I can verify that there have not been "huge fights" between the staff and Ms. Doyle. While there were disagreements about some issues and some changes that LSSI and Ms. Doyle were doing, the long-term and newer employees have been totally professional in their dealings with the director and the new management company.




November 14, 2007
In response to: At an Outsourced Library, a Director’s Departure Raises Questions
Thomas Aud commented:

Latest news from Jackson, the company is still looking for a new director and the board's subcommittee will interview three candidates later this month. Also, LSSI has told the board that it would be willing to "loan," at no interest, the necessary funds to balance the budget. Of course, the library will have to pay it back as funds become available. Is this a normal action by LSSI: loaning money and thereby emcumbering libraries for expenses they would not do without proper funds beforehand?




April 7, 2008
In response to: At an Outsourced Library, a Director’s Departure Raises Questions
Ranjith commented:

outsourcingresearchwriting.com





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