I suggest the Library Board Search Committee reopen the solicitation and hiring process for a new MPL Director and seek someone willing to work within the 'arbitrary salary caps' established by state law, rather than try and circumvent said law through the use of contracts and perks. The Library Board has already received an exception to the state law, raising the allowable salary cap from $114K to $120K. That should be adequate.
I also suggest that emphasis be placed on hiring a new Director with strengths in the areas of organizational, administrative and fiscal management; that much of the day-to-day library operational responsibilities be delegated to top library management staff, and that the new Director focus on bringing MPL system operational costs in line with peer-group library systems around the country. Significant time will be required to manage the construction of the new Central Library as well as renovations of community libraries. Sound fiscal management, coupled with an emphasis on public and private collaborative strategies should greatly facilitate any future fundraising efforts. It's difficult to justify what could be considered 'excessive compensation' for a new Library Director, given the current shortfall in the operating budget and the proposed cuts in service levels. All government budgets are under extreme pressure these days, and taxpayers deserve consideration when these issues arise. Michael Hohmann Linden Hills > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:mpls-admin@;mnforum.org]On Behalf Of > List Manager > Sent: Thursday, October 17, 2002 6:25 AM > To: 'Mpls list' > Subject: [Mpls] Library director hire delayed by pay > > > Steve Brandt writes: > > "Minneapolis is down to one finalist for public library director, and > the Library Board is considering whether to hire him as an independent > contractor to bypass a state law limiting public salaries. > > "The board's choice comes amid community meetings it is holding on how > to trim service to balance the system's budget next year. > snip > "The board is scheduled to meet Friday morning to consider whether to > make a job offer. Amdursky became the sole finalist when Norman Holman, > a New York Public Library executive, withdrew Wednesday. The field was > cut to two finalists earlier this month. > > "According to Anita Duckor, the key library trustee involved in the > search, neither Amdursky nor Holman was willing to accept the job for > $120,000." > > http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3370624.html > > David Brauer > List manager > snip _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:mpls@;mnforum.org Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
