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

Wed Mar 14 16:22:08 PDT 2018

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-districts.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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> Libs-Or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
> http://listsmart.osl.state.or.us/mailman/listinfo/libs-or
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>
> 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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