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The final chapter of the Menlo Park Library’s 15-year-old book discussion group doesn’t make for a happy ending. In fact, it’s proven to be quite the tear-jerker.
Last month, as they were reading the selected novel and preparing for their August meeting, members were shocked to learn that the group would no longer be funded by the Friends of the Menlo Park Library.
Even more shocking to them, and to longtime group leader Lauren John, is that Ms. John was notified — by e-mail — of the group’s demise by Library Director Susan Holmer after the fact. They were given no warning that Ms. Holmer planned not to ask the nonprofit Friends to continue funding the discussion group.
Ms. Holmer presented a funding proposal for library programs to the Friends on July 12, and sent the e-mail to Ms. Johns the next day.
Group members were up in arms, and Ms. John was “devastated” and “in tears,” according to members who spoke to The Almanac. But members who brought their complaints to the Friends of the Library leadership were informed that it is the Friends’ practice to grant the funding requests of the library director.
Friends president Karen Zechnich wrote in an e-mail to two book group members: “Please understand that the Friends board does not determine the library’s budget or make decisions regarding the operations of the library. This is the responsibility of our library director.”
Ms. Holmer said she decided not to fund the book discussion group, at an annual cost of $1,200, because the funds were needed for such things as the children’s and teen collections.
Several members asserted that, even if the meager amount of book group funding had been needed for other library programs, it is likely that members would have raised the money themselves to continue paying Ms. John the $100 per session to lead the group.
“We could have all chipped in and had the meetings in the same room in the library — maybe we could have had a book fair, or another kind of fundraiser,” said Susan Huch, a book group member from the beginning.
Ms. Huch dismissed Ms. Holmer’s assertion that attendance at the group’s meetings represented a “relatively low number of beneficiaries for the cost,” saying that 150 in attendance over the course of a year is a robust number. What’s more, she said, the diversity of group members was wide and uncommon for such discussion groups — men and women, in a range of professions, ranging in age from their 30s to 85.
“This has been a community thing that we’ve been doing for so long,” she added. “We’re very passionate for our book group and very passionate for Lauren.”
Ms. John, a member of the Menlo Park group for eight years and leader for six, is a widely regarded book group leader; in 2006, she published “Running Book Discussion Groups: A How-To-Do-It Manual.”
In an e-mail to angry and upset group members who had suggested petitioning to keep the group alive, Ms. John wrote that if the group continues, “I will not be rejoining it at Menlo Park Library. I have given countless hours of paid and volunteer service and donated hundreds of dollars of books to the library over the years and it would just be too painful to continue to do so.”
Ms. Holmer acknowledged that letting Ms. John and group members know about her decision ahead of time “probably would have been a good idea.”
“Had I known that there was going to be such unhappiness, I certainly would have let them know before,” she said, adding, “It wouldn’t have made a difference in funding because I needed that money for other things.”
In an e-mail to The Almanac, Ms. John said: “Good managers know that every difficult or controversial budget decision should be accompanied by a difficult conversation. Nothing is more difficult than firing someone or canceling a popular program.
“Director Holmer made the difficult decision but did not want to have the difficult discussion.”
Meanwhile, Ms. John has been asked to lead a fiction/nonfiction discussion group at the Palo Alto Oshman Jewish Community Center beginning Oct. 5. There will be a cost — $5 for nonmembers of the center, and $3 for members.
Obviously this could have been handled better, but I have to say I agree with the decision. It never would have occurred to me that my tax money was being spent in this way. I’ve belonged to numerous book clubs over the years and we’ve never had a paid facilitator. In this day and age of finding thought-provoking questions for most book-club fodder on the internet and even in the back of books, I personally don’t see the need for it. But if you want one, please feel free to spend your own money on it.
Book reader – if the position is fully funded by Friends, doesn’t that mean it’s NOT tax payer money, but rather from their fundraisers & donations?
I’ve never heard of book club facilitators being paid (having been one myself). I have also donated many times to the library, and I always assumed the money was going for items and services that benefit all users, not just a select few. Good decision by the director.
Book reader and reader, I think you’re missing the point, or points. The group was NOT funded by taxpayers. The funder, Friends of the Library, is a nonprofit, nonpublic group that exists to enhance library programs. This was a program that benefited a large number of library patrons (about 150) who love to read — an activity that the library should be in full support of, don’t you think? No tax dollars — I repeat, NO TAX DOLLARS — were going into the funding of this program.
The leader was being paid a stipend, awarded by a private, nonprofit group, because of all the work she was doing to keep this group functioning at the level that made it highly effective, popular and successful. $100 per month was not an unreasonable amount to pay someone to make this program as top notch as it was. The leader, for a mere $100 per month, was able to ensure participants that there would be a discussion each month that was enriching and worth attending.
I have been a member of groups without a professional leader, and because of the lack of commitment of the people assigned to lead the group (usually volunteer leaders assigned on a rotating basis) I stayed with the groups for anywhere from 3 to 9 months. There are people who have stayed with the library’s group for 15 years.
But a major, super important point that you’ve missed: Susan Holmer chose not to notify Lauren John and the group that she planned to cut the rug out from under them. After the fact, she notified Lauren BY EMAIL that her services were no longer needed. This group could have been saved had Holmer done the right thing, behaved in a way that any reasonable person would have expected a competent manager to behave. What were Holmer’s motives in handling this situation in the way she did? Maybe her funding priorities were defensible, I can’t really judge. But the WAY she handled this was outrageous. A manager? In title and pay only, I’m afraid. A competent manager never would have handled this the way she did.
For more comments on this topic, see:
http://www.almanacnews.com/square/index.php?i=3&d=1&t=4725
Book Club Reader assures us that we don’t need a professional book group leader because of all the book club FODDER on the Internet.
Just thought (free of charge, that I would put on my book group leader hat once more and define FODDER for you all:
Something fed to domestic animals: especially coarse food for cattle, horses or sheep.
Inferior or readily available material used to supply a heavy demand.
Eg. Fodder for tabloids.
Source: Merriam Websters
Can we have a little respect for our book group members here?!!!!
Thank you, Hmmmm, for pointing out that if it were paid for by Friends of the Library it was not tax money. I didn’t think that one through. And thank you, Lauren Johns for the vocabulary lesson….
The club wasn’t “paid for by the Friends:” if the Friends controlled the funding, then the group wouldn’t have been shut down. My understanding is that the Friends, to whom many of us have donated, is the fundraising arm of the library, just as the school foundations raise money for the schools. The funds are handed over as an unrestricted donation to the library, are absorbed into the operating budget, and therefore become commingled with the tax dollars. Because a chunk of money was going to the book club, it was not being used for higher priority projects that could have served more library patrons. Thanks to the library ending its sponsorship, that money will be redirected to more appropriate uses.
By the way, although I might argue with the syntax of book reader’s comment, the use of “fodder” was absolutely correct. Fodder can mean animal food or inferior material, or it can simply mean raw material. Perhaps Ms. John needs to expand her vocabulary beyond the confines of the free online Merriam Webster (not Websters) dictionary?
Reader – what is your gripe? It’s only $1200/yr. If the funds were raised by Friends, it’s not tax money, even if the funds end up comingled wtax money. I’ve donated a lot to the Friends through the tears as well but I do have issue w/the facilitator not getting paid. A stipend can make a big difference for a facilitator. It honors their commitment. A group going for 15 years is a long time. Teens & kids can augment their reading w/books from other libraries – that’s much easier than trying to start a new group or get someone to lead it for free, expecting them to pay expenses out of pocket.
“Reader,” since you seem to be so concerned with definitions, could you tell us how you define “a chunk of money”? We’re talking about $1,200 here. You call that a “chunk of money”? That’s peanuts when you’re talking about a program that serves 150 people who are engaged in an activity that a library might be expected to support, namely, reading. And, the money came from a private, nonprofit group that funded programs that enhance the nuts and bolts operation of the library. No taxpayer money involved.
But at the risk of sounding like a broken record, I’d also like to focus again on what is probably the most important issue here: Holmer’s treatment of the situation, and of Lauren John. You have ignored that question, “reader,” and I wonder why.
According to the article, the discussion group probably would have survived the funding cut because members would probably have pulled their resources together or raised new funds to keep it afloat. But Lauren John was dealt such an unkind and unwarranted slap in the face that she apparently doesn’t want anything more to do with the Menlo Park library. Why don’t you weigh in on that point, “reader”? I think whether or not it was justified to cut off the Friends of the Library funding is a legitimate question that many of us are unresolved about. But how on earth can you justify Holmer’s behavior? Please address that question.
As someone who believes in public libraries I am alarmed that the library has to rely on the private funds of the Friends of the Library to operate….whatever happened to the public taxpaper funds we pay for city services? I did a little research and learned that the Menlo Park library has been cutting back on books and other items to check out. I learned that library has to rely on a lot of temporary workers which they have layed off. Library patrons have little idea how hard the limited staff of the library work to provide a high quality service. I learned the library has cut back its hours and days (did you know they close the whole weekend before all Monday holidays!) I also learned that the library, which I believe serves more citizens than most public services, is one of the lower funded services in the City of Menlo Park! At one time I remember the Menlo Park library to be open more hours and evenings with a lot more material available for doing research. I also know the library started their own foundation…so why then does the director have to depend on the “Friends of the Library?” Most libraries I know have directors who advocate to get more city money to support the library and raise money through their foundation. Check out the Redwood City library and see how it is thriving! And that is a city with less funds than Menlo Park.
If the Menlo Park Library Director gets all the money from the Friends
just handed over to her, then why does she have to account to the Friends at all about spending? My understanding is they just let her do what she wants with it! But, again, I have to wonder why she is not doing more with the library’s own foundation, and why she is not doing more to get funds and staff from the city to support the library?
I would add that I know a lot of paid book facilitators at a lot of other libraries, and facilitators have been paid at the Menlo Park Library for many years. Why all of a sudden does this become a financial issue, and why was it done so secretly, do clandestinely that the people doing the book facilitation were not even given the common courtesy to know that their program of at least
10 plus years came to an end. By the way there was another book group at the MP Library given the “ax” at the same time this one was. Funny that was never mentioned? The whole thing just doesn’t seem right to me. The City of Menlo Park has plenty of public money to spend on high priced consultatnts and studies that never result in anything. Why can’t the city properly fund the library!
Reader:
I wish that I knew who you were by actual name, because you have provided the first clear understanding of the amount of control that the Friends do or don’t have over the money that they raise.
In your note you say:
The club wasn’t “paid for by the Friends:” if the Friends controlled the funding, then the group wouldn’t have been shut down. My understanding is that the Friends, to whom many of us have donated, is the fundraising arm of the library, just as the school foundations raise money for the schools. The funds are handed over as an unrestricted donation to the library, are absorbed into the operating budget, and therefore become commingled with the tax dollars. Because a chunk of money was going to the book club, it was not being used for higher priority projects that could have served more library patrons. Thanks to the library ending its sponsorship, that money will be redirected to more appropriate uses.
If indeed you are accurate, this clarifies a whole lot.
Is Susan Holmer the sole person deciding how Friends money is spent?
When you say “thanks to the library” ending its sponsorship–who is “the library”? Susan Holmer?
(In fairness, she has made a lot of very responsible decisions about spending the Friends money–teen and youth and literacy projects DO need community support–and though she slapped our book group in the face, Holmer has paid attention to other community priorities.)
If Reader’s assessment is accurate, are the Friends okay with granting her sole power over spending the funds that they raise?
And does she really have sole power?
Is there an advisory or oversight committee?
And how much money are we talking about?
I, too, have wondered what the difference between the Friends and the Foundation.
Anyone else have the same questions?
Regardless of who decides how the money gets spent–it would be great to know who the DECIDER or DECIDERS are.
And how do we get City management and City Council and Library Friends and Foundation to take notice of this dialog going on here in Town Square?
I agree the tax payer need not pay for a Book Club leader. Ask Kepler’s to find out how many,varied and long-term clubs there are within a reasonable distance. Maybe even some for Young Adults.
It is a perfect activity for The Friends of the Library to fund if they (not Director Holmer) choose. Where is the accounting and who is reponsible?
I also believe the short and unilateral notice of ending the club demonstrates Director Holmer is out of touch with her customers and her staff and has no concept of teamwork. As stated, it is possible the club could have offered solutions if a discussion had been offered. Perhaps even inviting the Young Adults to some of the meetings? Wouldn’t that make for some interesting discussions….a meeting of the minds of different generations.
Lastly, her inept ending of it disrespects her customers, her staff and what surprises me, is that no one as yet mentioned how rude she was. Something tells me she would not have done this to her own boss.
It’s heartening to read these thoughtful comments & intelligent questions. As a lifelong lover of local libraries, this recent problem is disturbing. Some of my best childhood memories are from MP library. I had friends in high school who worked there part time.
What other group was shut down?
Can the MP library director get called on her behavior?
Why are teen & children books considered more important – because they’d reach more readers than a large book club?
Overall, this whole issue could have been handled much more adroitly & respectfully.
The other discussion group that was defunded is a mystery book group. But for some reason, it had been funded in advance, so can still pay its moderator for another year. That’s good for the mystery book group, but the irony is that it has only half as many members as the group that just got cut off at the knees, thanks to a clueless, removed-from-reality library director. I hope her boss holds her accountable for this cruel and unthinking act.
According to the numbers released to the Post. the city spent $1,300,000 on salaries (plus pensions and healthcare) on the permanent employees of our library (Director and Library Assistants) and an additional $300,000 temporary employees. That $1.3 million was spent on 13 employees and with benefits exceeds 8% of the city budget. so while the city has been cutting back, it still spends LOTS of money on personnel and their direct and indirect operating costs.
Budget watcher and others:
What percentage of that 1.3 million was/is Library Director Susan Holmer’s salary, benefits and vacation time?
Isn’t this a matter of public record?
Just wondering.
Lauren John
Her total compensation was $154,000.
For most libraries, the Friends group and the Foundation (if there is one) are entirely distinct from one another.
I’m not an expert on MPL’s situation — just enjoy it as a lovely library — but typically Friends handle donations of books and sales of donated books (both online and real-world) and generate funds through these efforts. These funds are often used to augment the collection budget and to fund programs/events. A Foundation, on the other hand, is dedicated to fundraising, as in asking for cash.
Their respective tax statuses may be entirely different, as might library policy and city policy (and whatever other requirements) that govern how their monies are spent.
Separately, and from a profession-wide perspective, paid facilitators are very common at libraries (or perhaps *were* very common, thanks to this economy). MPL was not a free-spending aberration in this regard.
Does any one know who Susan Holder’s supervisor is?
Susan Holmer’s supervisor would be the city manager, Glen Rojas.