There has been much confusion about the recently-announced recommendation from the Library Board to pilot some changes to more efficiently serve library patrons at two county libraries. Libraries are pillars in our community, they are resources for people furthering their education, they are places of discovery for children, and they are a critical gathering place in our neighborhoods. Just like our community, our libraries have evolved over time, and as they have countrywide, libraries will need to continue to evolve in order to best meet the needs of our residents. Unfortunately, the announcement of this simple two-library pilot has resulted in a swirl of misinformation about what it is and what it will do. I would like to take this opportunity today to set the record straight.
First, this is a pilot program. The county is not suddenly making overnight changes to the way our libraries operate. Instead, we are going to run a pilot program at the Burke Centre and Reston Regional Libraries to see if the recommendations work. Both libraries will test the “one-desk” model of customer service, with cross-trained staff answering account and information questions, as well as increased programming conducted within the branch and the community. The one-desk model should be a benefit to the library patron who will only have to go to one place to get all of their questions answered. It will likely also make for more well rounded staff that have a greater understanding of the total operation of a library.
Second, we are not laying anyone off. This is a pilot program—we have absolutely no intention of cutting staff to accommodate the pilot program. If the model works, any reduction in staff at the libraries is expected to occur via natural attrition. Over 30 percent of employees in the county’s library workforce will be eligible to retire by 2015.
Third, by not requiring a Masters of Library Science (MLS) requirement for the positions in the pilot, we are not “dumbing down” the library workforce. Only 15 states nationwide currently have a MLS requirement and Virginia isn’t one of them. The MLS will remain a preferred qualification, however a dynamic workforce, and one that attracts the best and the brightest, should be open to competition from people with differing backgrounds. As the challenges of a 21st century library system continue to evolve, the county needs to be able to hire the best person for the job—that could be someone with a MLS, someone with a technology or education degree, or more likely, a mix of both. Currently, the vast majority of those on our library staff do not hold an MLS.
Finally, this is an opportunity for the county to bring you the best library service that it possibly can. This is an opportunity to increase the efficiency of our library system and improve customer service. It is an opportunity to adapt to the challenges that the Internet and technology bring.
The real question is, “Why wouldn’t you want to do a pilot to see if you can improve service and be more efficient?” Only when we have the results of the pilot the Library Board and county staff can make an informed decision on the best course for our libraries and the county. I will be waiting for the results of the pilot before I form any opinion on whether we should make the changes permanent at these two libraries or institute them at any other libraries.