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

[John Repplinger]

I called my Senator, Jackie Winters, who is one of the Salem area's Senate
representatives and talked to a staff member.  She explained that Senator
Winter's office has no idea why the vote did not come to the floor, and
that since the issue did not come out of the Republican caucus Senator
Winters knows nothing about it.

The staff member suggested contacting the majority leader, Jennifer
Williamson (503-986-1900, Rep.Jennifer.Williamson at oregonlegislature.gov) to
inquire about who were the responsible parties involved with the decision
process and ask why the issue didn't even make it to the floor for a vote.
I haven't heard back yet after leaving a voice mail message for Jennifer,
but I'm not holding my breath for a response.  Perhaps others will find out
more than me and share it with the group.

John Repplinger



On Thu, Mar 15, 2018 at 2:21 PM, Sami Pierson <spierson at coosbaylibrary.org>
wrote:

> And now I just remembered Ted and I have the same one.  Well at least
> their office is sticking with the same story. :)
>
> On Thu, Mar 15, 2018 at 1:47 PM, Ted Smith <t.smith at newportlibrary.org>
> wrote:
>
>> I hope we are all doing more than echoing back and forth to one another.
>> We should be sharing our outrage with our senators.  I wrote my senator who
>> is a Democrat and was told that the proposal to keep MaryKay never made it
>> out of committee onto the floor to be voted on.  He learned of it after the
>> fact like the rest of us.  So, it was all back alley, dirty politics and
>> collusion by a few people.  Government as usual. Brown threw the senators
>> under the bus, when if fact it was only a very few people who were
>> involved.
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* Libs-Or [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] *On
>> Behalf Of *Heather McNeil
>> *Sent:* Thursday, March 15, 2018 1:24 PM
>> *To:* Karen Clay <kclay at eou.edu>
>> *Cc:* libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
>> *Subject:* Re: [Libs-Or] OLA's response to State Librarian dismissal
>>
>>
>>
>> I will echo everyone’s concerns about the hidden process and bad
>> decision.  I have always admired Mary Kay and consider her one of the
>> mentors who have encouraged me along the way.  I look forward to seeing her
>> at OLA because she makes me laugh and she inspires me.  So, phhttthhh to
>> the legislators who let this happen!
>>
>>
>>
>> *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 *Karen Clay
>> *Sent:* Thursday, March 15, 2018 10:38 AM
>> *Cc:* libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
>> *Subject:* Re: [Libs-Or] OLA's response to State Librarian dismissal
>>
>>
>>
>> I too want to publicly agree with all the compliments that I've seen on
>> this thread, as well as the sense of betrayal that I'm hearing concerning
>> the State process.
>>
>> Mary Kay has been consistently supportive and friendly and has a laudable
>> inclusive approach that covers even the small and remote libraries in the
>> State. I truly appreciate the work she's done during her time as State
>> Librarian.
>>
>> Karen
>>
>>
>>
>> Karen Clay
>>
>> Library Director &
>>
>> Accreditation Liaison Officer
>> Eastern Oregon University
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 14, 2018 at 4:22 PM, Kate Rubick <rubick at lclark.edu> wrote:
>>
>> I just want to add my voice to the choir--so saddened, stunned, and
>> disturbed by this news. I have been a librarian in Oregon since 1997, and
>> have been a fan and admirer of MaryKay's as long as I can remember. I still
>> remember a presentation she gave on infant brain development way way back
>> in the day that blew my mind.
>>
>> I just don't understand....and it seems no one does. My heart goes out to
>> MaryKay and her colleagues at the State Library.
>>
>>
>>
>> Kate Rubick, Instruction Services Librarian
>> <http://library.lclark.edu/katerubick>
>> Aubrey R. Watzek Library
>> Lewis & Clark College
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 14, 2018 at 3:30 PM, King, Valery G <
>> valery.king at oregonstate.edu> wrote:
>>
>> I find this development to be bewildering and deeply disturbing. That a
>> librarian and leader of MaryKay’s caliber can be summarily dismissed in
>> this way is incomprehensible to me. Something doesn’t seem quite right to
>> me, and I hope we learn more about what is behind this action—and soon.
>> Thank you, Buzzy and OLA, for your work on this truly surprising and
>> unwelcome event. Rest assured that my senator will be hearing from me!
>>
>>
>>
>> MaryKay, you’ve always been a joy to work with and I’ve found your
>> leadership to be truly inspiring. As several others have mentioned, I too
>> am grateful that you will continue to be a part of Oregon’s library scene!
>>
>>
>>
>> Valery King
>>
>> OSU Libraries
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* Libs-Or [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] *On
>> Behalf Of *DAVID Emily
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, March 14, 2018 1:47 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 Buzzy and others who have been working on this shocking turn of
>> events. I greatly appreciate the letter sent to the Governor’s office on
>> behalf of OLA.
>>
>>
>>
>> MaryKay, I cannot even begin to express the gratitude I have for your
>> tireless advocacy, straight-forward leadership and support of libraries
>> across the state. I am thinking of you and all the staff at the State
>> Library, as well as all the library workers across the state. Please know
>> how loved and appreciated you are by this group.
>>
>>
>>
>> I hope this fight is not over.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> *Emily David*
>>
>> *Library Director*
>>
>> Springfield Public Library
>>
>> 225 5th Street
>>
>> Springfield, OR 97477
>>
>> 541-726-3766 <(541)%20726-3766>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> [image: solid horizontal spl Logo] <http://wheremindsgrow.org/>
>>
>> wheremindsgrow.org
>>
>> [image: SPL_facebook-icon_WEB]
>> <https://www.facebook.com/springfieldpubliclibrary/?ref=sgm>  [image:
>> SPL_twitter-icon_WEB] <https://twitter.com/wheremindsgrow>  [image:
>> SPL_instagram-icon_WEB] <https://www.instagram.com/spl_wheremindsgrow/>
>>
>>
>>
>> *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:* Wednesday, March 14, 2018 9:27 AM
>> *To:* libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
>> *Subject:* Re: [Libs-Or] OLA's response to State Librarian dismissal
>>
>>
>>
>> Based on your questions, here are a few updates on the matter regarding
>> MaryKay's dismissal.
>>
>>    - Some of you have indicated that you were unable to see the
>>    attachment. I uploaded it onto the OLA Communications page here:
>>    http://www.olaweb.org/communications
>>    - The Governor's decision stemmed from an inability to get votes in
>>    the Senate to confirm MaryKay as State Librarian. Given that, it is wholly
>>    appropriate for you to contact your State Senator to express your feelings,
>>    as well as the Governor's office. You can find your Senator and their
>>    contact information here:
>>    https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/findyourlegislator/leg-dis
>>    tricts.html
>>
>> I also wanted to say that there have been a team of us at OLA working on
>> this issue since we got word of it. Many thanks to the excellent work and
>> advice of Vice-President/President-Elect Esther Moberg, Past President Elsa
>> Loftis, Legislative Committee Chair Abigail Elder, and Lobbyist Amanda
>> Dalton.
>>
>>
>>
>> As always, please let me know if you have questions.
>>
>>
>>
>> Buzzy
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> 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*
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Mar 13, 2018 at 4:24 PM, Buzzy Nielsen, OLA President <
>> olapresident at olaweb.org> wrote:
>>
>> 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*
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> 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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>> content.
>>
>> Questions related to message content should be directed to the sender of
>> the message, by phone or email.
>> Technical questions? Call 503-378-8800.
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>> content.
>>
>> Questions related to message content should be directed to the sender of
>> the message, by phone or email.
>> Technical questions? Call 503-378-8800.
>>
>>
>>
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>>
>> Questions related to message content should be directed to the sender of
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>> Technical questions? Call 503-378-8800.
>>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Libs-Or mailing list
> Libs-Or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
> http://listsmart.osl.state.or.us/mailman/listinfo/libs-or
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> content.
>
> Questions related to message content should be directed to the sender of
> the message, by phone or email.
> Technical questions? Call 503-378-8800.
>



-- 
John Repplinger
Science Librarian
Willamette University
503-370-6525
jrepplin at willamette.edu
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