[M&L] need for coalition-Maslow Model

[kmccook@tampabay.rr.com]

Given changes going on at the State Library the need for 
coalition and collaboration among the library,museum and 
heritage groups continues to be at the lower level of the 
Maslow model--security, basic needs. I hope we will hold an 
inclusive meeting soon to focus on survival issues as threats 
emerge.
  While our initial impetus is to dream big dreams, it may be 
that our immediate task will be to keep the bread on the 
table. It is a small miracle that we have begun to unite at this 
time.
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/6052122.htm
State Library chief fired after 18 years
By Diane Hirth
DEMOCRAT CAPITOL BUREAU

The woman in charge of day-to-day operations at the State
Library was fired Friday, her last workday in the place
where she had been employed for 18 years.

Debra Sears, 48, chief of the Bureau of Library and Network
Services, was removed from her position because of a
reorganization in the Division of Library and Information
Services, Florida Department of State spokeswoman Jenny 
Nash said Monday.
As a result, "Mrs. Sears' position was no longer needed,"
Nash said.
Asked to explain the reorganization, Nash said, "The
reorganization is in its beginning stages now. The approach
will be a cross-functional approach."

Nash said the decision to fire Sears was made by Judith
Ring, director of the Division of Library and Information
Services.

Sears' firing comes two months after the Legislature
rejected Gov. Jeb Bush's plans to move the Library's
circulating collection to Nova Southeastern University in
Broward County. Bush's plans to reconfigure the Library drew
vocal protests from librarians, the public and key
legislators - culminating in March when nearly 250
protesters ringed the R.A. Gray building that houses the
Library.

"There was a decision on the Secretary of State's level,"
Bush spokeswoman Alia Faraj said of Sears' departure. "I
would like to think anytime there are administrative
changes, people come and people go."

Bush appointed Glenda Hood as Secretary of State in 
January.

At the time, Bush planned to move much of the Library's
functions out of Tallahassee and - the exact plan kept
changing - as many as 55 library jobs would have been
eliminated. Bush said his plan would have saved $3.8
million. Sears' salary was $68,389.

Sears declined to speculate on the reasons for her
dismissal.

"I can't say whether it was fair or a good choice, what they
can do or not do. They can always decide who to keep or not
keep," said Sears, who holds a master's degree in library
administration from Rosary College (now Dominican
University).

"I would say that things are more politicized than they were
before, and it can be more uncomfortable than it was before.
It's a whole new situation for us," Sears said. "We had an
elected secretary of state, and it was an independent agency
for a long time. It's a learning curve. People are trying to
figure out what they should do."

Sears was one of three bureau chiefs reporting to Ring and a
member of the senior management team. Her responsibilities
included overseeing book-buying, research, electronic
information services and problem-solving. She had been
promoted through the ranks, starting as a reference
librarian, helped her section earn six Davis Productivity
awards and earned one Davis award herself.

As a "select exempt" employee, she worked at the pleasure 
of
her supervisor and could be let go without cause.

"I am concerned about the reorganization and the loss of a
very valuable state employee and state manager who had a 
lot
of institutional memory and expertise," said Barratt
Wilkins, who was director of the Division of Library and
Information Services for 26 years. "I am sick about it
because I thought Debra was an outstanding employee."

Wilkins credited her with such accomplishments as 
developing
an online database of state government that predated
MyFlorida.com; extending library services to state agencies;
merging the state legislative library with the State
Library; and developing electronic library services.

Some have suggested Sears' dismissal may send a message 
that
the Bush administration might have lost the recent battle
over moving the library's circulating collection, but
there's still a conflict over the future of the library.
"While the Legislature may have said to keep the library in
Tallahassee, getting rid of the person who knows the most
about the State Library is not a good sign," Wilkins said.

Others fear the effect on employee morale.

"It certainly would have a chilling effect on other state
employees," said Rep. Curtis Richardson, D-Tallahassee.
"Even if the perception were there. The close proximity in
the time to those events - her being let go and the efforts
to keep the library in Tallahassee."

Said Mark Neimeiser, political representative for the
American Federation of State and County Municipal 
Employees,
"The whole business of 'at will' employees doesn't mean we
should throw out employees with years of experience who've
done a good job. This administration has a history of making
political choices which will hurt the public service."



------------------------------------------------------------
---------------- ---- Contact Capitol reporter Diane Hirth
at (850) 222-6729 or dhirth@tallahassee.com.