Re: [Mpls] Library Job: What are the qualifications anyway?

[WizardMarks]

Victoria Heller wrote:

I think we should stop importing pompous politicos.

WM: That's an unwarranted assumption. From my understanding, we are not just offering less than other library systems of the same complexity, we are offering way less than other systems.

Is Minneapolis devoid of local talent?  Is everyone who works for our library system incompetent?

WM: We have local talent, all of whom have been in the Minneapolis system for many years, some of whom have never worked in any other library system. Simultaneously, we are embarking on a grand adventure of a new library and facing the information needs of a new century. I'd be willing to bet that the board is looking for someone from outside who has the compare and contrast experience to lead at this juncture.
Some of the best people we have at MPL are not willing to take on this challenge at this point in their lives. Others are totally swamped with the work they are presently doing and may not have taken the time to apply.

As an employer I can tell you that the greatest superstars I encountered
didn't start out with fancy resumes. They had a burning desire to improve
things, create value, and took personal pride in their accomplishments.

WM: I stand with the library board's search for an outsider to the system. An outsider has the advantage of not knowing the system and therefore having to ask many, many, many questions. Right now our library often catches itself with its foot nailed to the floor through a syndrome of "we've always done it that way." To meet the challenge facing MPL today and in the future, there's a solid argument for looking outside MPL this time. Fresh eyes, fresh ears, different set of experiences. What would be good to have to carry through would be stellar leadership capability (and self-ruthless time management and delegation skills).

WizardMarks, Central

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_______________________________________

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