[Libs-Or] Libs-Or Digest, Book Talk Preparation and Compensation

[Kirby Jane S]

I have two points to add to this very interesting discussion of compensation for book talks.

1) Bob Jones offered very useful insights regarding fair labor standards and union contracts in his LIBS-OR post regarding book talk preparation/compensation. Thanks Bob!  I question, however, if most professional librarians are indeed "salaried employees." Aren't most non-management public librarians "hourly" employees? (I've been in this business for 25 years and have always received overtime or comp time when my schedule exceeded 40 hours/week.)  

2) Another aspect of this question is librarians' equity with municipal/county government professionals of similar education and work responsibility. For example, would a non-management accountant, planner, or recreation specialist be expected to produce assigned work beyond 40 hours without overtime pay or comp time? Probably not.

While I agree that librarianship is indeed a vocation -- and a wonderfully fulfilling, world-changing one, at that -- working "off the clock" only perpetuates the expectation that librarians work for the "good of humanity" and somehow don't require the funding, stability, and professional recognition given to other civil servants. 

Volunteering to read, reading for the "love of reading" or reading for professional development is not the same as being expected to read for a job assignment. I'd lean towards compensating this employee.  

Best regards,

Jane Kirby, MLS
Librarian
Oregon OSHA Resource Center
350 Winter St. NE
Salem,  OR 97301
www.orosha.org
800-922-2689
503-947-7456



 
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Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 12:01 PM
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Subject: Libs-Or Digest, Vol 99, Issue 17

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