[Libs-Or] OLA's response to State Librarian dismissal

BJ Toewe bjtoewe at gmail.com
Tue Mar 13 17:50:22 PDT 2018


MaryKay's dismissal comes with great disbelief and genuine disappointment
on my part.  Her leadership during her time at the Oregon State Library has
helped Oregon libraries statewide to become stronger and better able to
serve their patrons well.  I know of no other librarian who can claim more
respect and love from all members of the library community.  Her friendship
and collaboration helped me to become a better librarian and I mourn what
her loss as State Librarian will mean to us all.  I'm grateful that MaryKay
plans to remain an active part of the Oregon library scene.  MaryKay,
you've always been the best!
BJ

On Tue, Mar 13, 2018 at 5:18 PM, Robertshaw, Brooke <
Brooke.Robertshaw at oregonstate.edu> wrote:

> I’ve only been a part of this community for 2 years but I’ve been lucky
> enough to work with MaryKay on the Legislative Committee.
>
> I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned from you MaryKay and for your
> humor.
>
>  I am saddened by this decision and unhappy by how it was made.
>
> Thank you Buzzy for your letter. I look forward to Gov. Brown’s response.
>
> -Brooke
>
> Sent from my iPhone
> --------------------------------------
> M. Brooke Robertshaw, PhD
> brooke.robertshaw at oregonstate.edu
> Oregon State University Libraries
> & Press
> Office: 541.737.1780 <(541)%20737-1780>
> Mobile: 541.870.6136 <(541)%20870-6136>
> -------------------------------------
> "Algorithms don't make things fair if
> you just blithely, blindly apply algorithms. They repeat our past
> practices, our patterns. They
> automate the status quo."
>    ~Cathy O'Neil, TED 2017
>
>
> On Mar 13, 2018, at 4:58 PM, Pierina Parise <pparise at emporia.edu> wrote:
>
> To say this is a shock is an understatement!  We will indeed sorely miss
> MaryKay’s leadership!
>
>
>
> ~perri
>
>
>
> *******************************************
>
> *Pierina Parise, Director, Oregon Distance Program*
>
> *Emporia State University, School of Library & Information Mgt*
>
> *1020 SW Taylor, Suite 447, Portland, OR 97205*
>
> *Office: 503-223-8280 <(503)%20223-8280>; Cell: 620-794-5436
> <(620)%20794-5436>*
>
> *pparise at emporia.edu <pparise at emporia.edu>  *
>
> *http://www.emporia.edu/slim/regionallocations/portland.html
> <http://www.emporia.edu/slim/regionallocations/portland.html> *
>
>
>
> *From:* Libs-Or <libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us> *On Behalf Of
> *Maureen Cole
> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 13, 2018 4:38 PM
> *To:* Buzzy Nielsen, OLA President <olapresident at olaweb.org>;
> libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
> *Subject:* Re: [Libs-Or] OLA's response to State Librarian dismissal
>
>
>
> Thank you so much, Buzzy, for the information explaining what we all just
> learned about. The letter to the governor is excellent and recounts many of
> the reasons why we love MaryKay. I’m still in a state of shock that this
> happened and happened without any contact with the library community.
> Where’s that transparency we in government strive for?
>
>
>
> Thanks for sending the link to the governor. I’ll be voicing my opinion.
>
>
>
> MaryKay, you rock and I love you! State Library Staff, you’re awesome and
> hang in there!
>
>
>
> Mo
>
>
>
>
>
> *Maureen Cole*
> mcole at orcity.org
> *Library Director*
> Oregon City Public Library
> 606 John Adams St.
> Oregon City, Oregon 97045
> 503-657-8269 ext. 1010 <(503)%20657-8269>
> 503-657-3702 <(503)%20657-3702> fax
> *Website: **www.orcity.org/library* <http://www.orcity.org/library>
> *Follow us on: *Facebook! <https://www.facebook.com/oregoncitylibrary>
> https://www.facebook.com/oregoncitylibrary
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> 271f21539981149d9f0576ba6&id=38181f8585
>
>
> *PUBLIC RECORDS LAW DISCLOSURE: This e-mail is subject to the *
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>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Libs-Or [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
> <libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us>] *On Behalf Of *Buzzy
> Nielsen, OLA President
> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 13, 2018 4:25 PM
> *To:* libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
> *Subject:* [Libs-Or] OLA's response to State Librarian dismissal
>
>
>
> Oregon librarian community:
>
>
>
> You likely have seen State Librarian MaryKay Dahlgreen's note to all of
> us. If not, then I will be the bearer of her bad news: it is with great
> sorrow and confusion that I tell you that Governor Kate Brown's office is
> dismissing State Librarian MaryKay Dahlgreen.
>
>
>
> This decision came as just as much of a shock to OLA as I imagine that it
> comes to you. OLA was not consulted in this decision, nor were several
> other stakeholders served by the State Library. Even the State Library
> Board, the entity that was statutorily-created to advise the Governor's
> Office on State Library matters, was not consulted.
>
>
>
> Some background: a few years ago, legislation was adopted that moved the
> State Librarian position from being appointed directly by the State Library
> Board to being appointed by the Governor. At the time, OLA backed this
> measure because we felt that it would put the State Librarian position on
> par with other state executive department heads and provide an additional
> layer of accountability. Obviously, these recent events bring our previous
> support into question.
>
>
>
> This February, MaryKay was scheduled for a reappointment hearing during
> the short legislative session. Her name was withdrawn the day of the
> hearing with no comment. OLA Legislative Committee Chair Abigail Elder and
> I had been working with OLA's lobbyist, Amanda Dalton, to discover why. We
> assumed that the hearing was merely being delayed. We were wrong.
>
>
>
> Needless to say, this decision is disturbing. OLA has expressed our
> displeasure to the Governor's office. That letter that is attached to this
> message. We are working with our lobbyist Amanda Dalton and other officials
> gather more information about why this decision was made, immediate
> succession plans for the State Library, and how the Oregon library
> community will be involved in future decisions regarding the State Library
> and Librarian. I will share any further relevant information as it becomes
> available.
>
>
>
> In the meanwhile, please spare some thoughts for MaryKay and the staff of
> the State Library. While MaryKay does not want for us to fight to get her
> job back, you are welcome to contact the Governor's Office to express how
> you feel about MaryKay's dismissal and how they made the decision. I
> encourage you to read the attached letter before doing so for background
> information. The Governor's Office can be reached at 503-378-4582
> <(503)%20378-4582> or on this web page:
>
> http://www.oregon.gov/gov/Pages/share-your-opinion.aspx
>
>
>
> If you have any questions, I will try to answer them as best I can. Right
> now, I wish all of the support that we can give to the State Library staff
> and MaryKay.
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Buzzy Nielsen
>
>
>
> --
>
> OLA President, 2017-18
>
> olapresident at olaweb.org
> 971-270-0527 <(971)%20270-0527>
>
>
> *You want weapons? We're in a library. Books are the best weapon in the
> world. This room's the greatest arsenal we could have. Arm yourself! ~The
> Doctor*
>
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>
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