Feedback | Letters to LJ, May 15, 2011 

I’m one of them
Francine Fialkoff’s editorial was very disappointing (“Can Bankers Keep Our Books?,” LJ 2/15/11, p. 8). Her premise that our public libraries must be led by librarians was not substantiated. There were rhetorical sentences about why this was an absolute and even a quoted comment that suggested that it was about something called that “intrinsic library school piece....” But no facts. There are a number of public library systems across the United States that have leaders who are passionate about libraries, who are successfully setting a path for the future, who work diligently for sustainable sources of revenue, who partner creatively with their senior librarians and their municipalities, and who are not “librarians” by training.

I am one of them. Since I was chosen in 2009 to lead an incredibly vibrant $10M library system in one of the poorest cities in America, my incredible staff of librarians and nonlibrarians have stemmed the tide of reductions in funding from city hall through their daily work providing excellent and innovative library service, raised annual giving by more than 300 percent, raised overall fundraising and grants by 80 percent, developed partnerships to address adult literacy, received more than $750,000 in federal grants for immigration programs, opened an art gallery, invested in a state-of-the-art ILS, rebranded the library, created a new strategic plan for the next five years, and will soon release a new website. And we are building a new branch, expanding another, and renovating a third....

My appointment as CEO was not about quarterly results, it was about building a 21st-century library system that is attuned to community needs and satisfaction. It’s about making a city’s anchor institution indispensable to the future of our citizens.

As a fact check, Fialkoff needs to look no further than hospitals to learn that nonmedical professionals are leading successfully in that sector. So rather than excoriating public libraries for choosing nontraditional leaders, let’s embrace the ones that do. Together, we all face historic change that threatens the survival of public libraries. Let’s work together on issues that matter.—Matthew K. Poland, CEO, Hartford P.L., CT

Moved to thanks
Thank you so much for “Movers & Shakers, 2011” (LJ 3/15/11, p. 23–65). It was an encouragement to me. The creativity and energy these librarians display is inspirational, particularly in the current climate of “doing more with less” and the pace of constant change.

Thank you to all the Movers & Shakers for their fearlessness.... to the administrators in their institutions for the confidence they have placed in them and the creative environment they allow to flourish.... to those who noticed the excellence they bring to their work in libraries and for taking the time to nominate them....to LJ for the great coverage and for these glimpses into the lives of the people who make libraries great in many places and many ways.—Brenda Guernsey, Greene Cty. P.L., Xenia, OH; MLIS student, Kent State Univ.

Baby steps
Thanks for writing about the kerfuffle at the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter (John Berry, “Eroding ALA Democracy,” Blatant Berry, LJ 2/15/11, p. 10). We are moving forward, though we are taking baby steps. I was ready to give up, but your column makes me want to stick with it and keep pushing LITA ­forward.—Cindi Trainor, Coordinator, Lib. Technology & Data Svcs., Eastern Kentucky Univ. Libs., ­Richmond (and a 2011 LJ Mover & Shaker)

Candid column
I just had to take a moment to thank John Berry for having the courage to write such a candid column (“Eroding ALA Democracy,” Blatant Berry, LJ 2/15/11, p. 10)! I could not have agreed more....—Pam Rudkin, Branch Mgr., Maumelle P.L., AR

Professional watershed
When I and my colleagues talk about what got us into librarianship and into readers’ advisory and reader services...there will inevitably come a moment when every single one of us refers to our association with Nancy Pearl as a professional watershed, an “Aha!” moment (“Librarian of the Year 2011: Nancy Pearl,” LJ 1/11, p. 24–26). I am sure many reading this have had the good fortune to know Nancy and will find themselves nodding in agreement, and there is a very good reason why. For all her own well-deserved celebrity in helping to promote and raise the profile of reading, librarianship, and libraries around the country and the world, Nancy has always been chiefly intent on promoting the work of others, helping libraries and library workers to be and do their best. She has such a generous spirit, and she has been a phenomenal mentor to so many. Also, she wisely understands that serving readers is of crucial importance to the well-being and survival of libraries. Nancy has fought tirelessly to persuade our sometimes less aware leaders of that fact. I can’t think of anyone who deserves this distinction more.—David Wright, Reader’s Advisory Libn., Seattle P.L.