Hopes for the Next Board Meeting

Next Monday the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District will hold another Board Meeting at its Winnetka location at 7pm. I do hope that all Board Members attend and that they are able to present how they have investigated the personnel problems now that there are at least 93 employee departures since 2013 when its current director, Rebecca Wolf, started. In the last 12 months, at least 21 employees have departed. Has the Board analyzed the Employee Engagement Survey, which was completed and presented to  the staff in June? Have they spoken with current employees? What have they done to make sure that they have a full picture of the director’s leadership?

At the September meeting there were empty seats designated for Board members. I hope all members can attend the October meeting. When they ran for office, they knew their commitment to the community is to attend meetings held on the third Monday of a month. In September four of the seven members attended, which is quite disappointing considering that patrons’ call for improvements. 

The library has had five meetings so far when patrons have expressed their displeasure with the plans for the Northfield branch renovation and the alarming turnover rate, which exceeds that of McDonald’s.

According to reports in The Winnetka Current, when asked about the high turnover, Board President Ruiz-Funes and the Director Wolf have cited the community survey results indicating that the majority of respondents are highly satisfied with the library. This response reminds me of the Korean proverb: The question comes from the East and the answer comes from the West. The leadership was asked about employee turnover, but changes the subject and shares survey results about another aspect of the library’s operations. We’re not fooled.

The board president offered to hold fireside chats for the patrons to meet with the director. The library has already held three Board Meetings and two community “Listening Sessions.” These fireside chats aren’t needed. More chatting and “listening” wastes time. The patrons have clearly stated what they want. It’s time for the Board to act.