[Libs-Or] SLO Staff - Prioritization & Retention

[Taylor Worley]

Roxanne,

Thank you for being so articulate and leading us! I'll strongly third Max's
second and will also reach out to SLO directly in support.

Very best,

*Taylor Worley *(she/her)

*Librarian, Eugene Public Library *

taylorlgkw at gmail.com (personal)

tworley at eugene-or.gov (work)

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On Thu, May 22, 2025 at 7:45 AM Max Macias via Libs-Or <
libs-or at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:

> Thank you, Roxanne.
>
>
> I will second that beautifully powerful statement and request.
>
> Thanks to the SLO and staff--we love and support you!
>
>
> Max Macias
>
>
> On Wed, May 21, 2025 at 10:20 PM Roxanne2 via Libs-Or <
> libs-or at omls.oregon.gov> wrote:
>
>> Hello. Please, bear with me as my purpose for reaching out in writing
>> this evening is threefold…
>>
>> First, I would like to express my support of State Library of Oregon
>> staff during a period when libraries and library workers are under attack,
>> and formerly reliable federal funding is uncertain at best. I believe
>> library workers are the most important resource a library can provide for
>> its patrons, and include the State Library of Oregon. Toward that end, I
>> see the crucial and invaluable duties library support and development
>> consultants perform: offering personalized support, sharing decades of
>> professional expertise, training the trainers (us) on how to navigate
>> information and resources, and advancing community engagement, to name just
>> a of the few ways you all empower and uplift those of us who work in Oregon
>> libraries…ensuring we are better prepared to serve our individual
>> communities. Thank you. I am grateful for your service, and support your
>> retention.
>>
>> Second, as a patron of the State Library of Oregon I respectfully call
>> upon State Librarian Wendy Cornelisen to a) share timely and transparent
>> communications with members of the Oregon library community regarding the
>> prioritization and retention of SLO staff, particularly library support and
>> development consultants, and b) consider pivoting from historical precedent
>> and instead explore alternative methods of funding impacted staff salaries
>> given state libraries may not be able to reliably depend upon federal
>> funding to cover the bulk (per usual) for the foreseeable future.
>>
>> Third, in the words of poet Audre Lorde, “When we speak we are afraid our
>> words will not be heard nor welcomed, but when we are silent we are still
>> afraid, so it is better to speak.” Our collective tomorrow is not
>> guaranteed, so we must engage in the “heretical act” of speaking up to see
>> our dreams for a better future made manifest. I invite others to share
>> their support and advocate for the prioritization and retention of SLO
>> staff, including library support and development staff, whose salaries are
>> funded by IMLS/LSTA.
>>
>> Mahalo for your consideration,
>> Roxanne M. Renteria
>
>
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