Special Membership Meeting Thursday, May 7, 2009 One-point agenda: Ratification of Working Condtions Contract 6:45 p.m. DC 37, 125 Barclay Street Room 12, Basement Spring Fling! Saturday, May 9, 2009 General Membership Meeting Tuesday, May 19, 2009 6:30 p.m. Bronx Library Center, 310 East Kingsbridge Road Local 1930 Picnic. Cancelled. The July 19th picnic has been cancelled. Express yourself at a Local 1930 union meeting! Click on the link below for details: 2009 General Membership Meetings and Events

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Add your voice to the Local 1930 Update.
Please send articles, stories, letters, cartoons, etc. to local1930update@gmail.com

GREAT NEWS !!!!

At approximately 3:00pm on Wednesday, April 22, the City Council Members voted 45-0 on the budget modification that will finally release the monies to pay us our (two) 4% increases, plus the retro that are long overdue. The next step is, that OMB has to officially send notification to the Library to authorize payment of these raises. Once notification is received, the union believes that paydates will be announced by the Library very shortly.

Also present at the budget modification hearing besides me were: Eileen Muller - President - BPL, and Margalit Susser - President - QPL.

In solidarity,
Carol Thomas
President

Rally at City Hall Park!!

Friday, April 17th, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. (near the fountain)

Join the fight to restore cuts placed on libraries! Come show City Hall that we need our jobs, care about our coworkers and our libraries! Our jobs are at stake! City Hall Park can be reached by taking subways to the Chambers, Park Place, City Hall or Brooklyn Bridge stations.

Letter from Lillian Roberts, DC 37 Executive Director to Paul LeClerc

March 12, 2009

Mr. Paul LeClerc
President & Chief Executive Officer
New York Public Library
5th Avenue & 42nd Street
New York, New York 10018-2788

Dear Mr. LeClerc:

My staff has been in discussion with your Human Resources Department regarding the Library's failure to pay the collective bargaining increases due District Council 37 members.

We bargained an agreement in good faith, an agreement that would provide a four percent (4%) increase on March 3, 2008 and a four percent (4%) increase on March 3, 2009.

It is indefensible to hold the raises back. The monies for these increases will be, as they have always been in the past, released to you once the budget modification is approved by the City Council. There is no question that the money will be provided. This political budget exercise should not be used as an excuse for holding back collective bargaining raises due our members.

The Library receives almost 90% of its operating budget at the beginning of the fiscal year, so we believe that the Library has the available funds to advance the money to pay the raises due to members.

I am urging you to pay these wage increases due our members as quickly as possible. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you.

Very truly yours,
Lillian Roberts
Executive Director

NYPL Testimony before the City Council Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Group Relations

March 13, 2009

The NYPL is experiencing a system-wide surge in use:

• During these critical economic times, libraries are more important than ever:
  • Visits to Libraries are up by 14% in the first half of the fiscal year, from 8 million to 9 million;
  • Circulation of books and DVD's is up 16%, from 9 million to 11 million in the first half of this fiscal year. Over the past 12 months, 21 million items have circulated (an increase of 3.5 million);
  • Attendance at Library programs is up 34%!
• People are coming to the NYPL in record numbers for job search assistance:
  • 38% increase in unique users searching for and using job information on the NYPL website;
  • Over 700 people attended a recent job fair at the Science, Industry & Business Library and more are planned throughout the system;
  • The Library is now offering over 30 job search related programs and classes per month;
  • The Library in partnership with the City has implemented the Workforce One Community Partners Program at the Bronx Library Center and the St. George Branch in Staten Island. We are now establishing relationships at the Melrose, Hunts Point, Mott Haven, Countee Cullen, Harlem, 125th Street, Hamilton Grange and George Bruce branches;
  • The Library will begin training all of its librarians, throughout the system, to assist users with job searching and career transition in order best to meet the escalating demand in this area. By the end of March, every one of our 89 sites will have staff that can help someone search and apply for jobs and write a resume.

The Mayor's FY10 January Plan proposes a sharp decline in support:

• Total proposed FY10 reduction for The New York Public Library is $23.2 million. This is a 17% cut which includes reductions of $15.9 million in addition to the $7.3 million FY09 City Council restoration not baselined in FY10;
• A 30%, or $10.7 million reduction of capital funding in fiscal years 2010-2019;
• In addition to the Mayor's proposed funding cuts, the NYPL is also facing the following possible reductions:
  • A proposed cut of $3 million, or 14% in State funding;
  • A reduction in private revenues of approximately $20 million; and
  • An increase in non-reimbursed expenses of approximately $7 million.

Impact of the proposed $23.2 million reduction in City funding to the NYPL:

• Six day service would be decimated - 52 hours average a week reduced to 41 hours, or a 20% reduction in hours across the system;
• The loss of at least 465 jobs (184 currently vacant or expected through attrition and 281 involuntary layoffs without City restoration);
  • This would mean major personnel reductions throughout the system, primarily in branches but also in the research libraries;
• A $4.5 million (26%) reduction in Branch Library materials;
• A $5.9 million (33%) reduction in Research materials;
• The greatest impact would be felt by the four most vulnerable groups served by the Library: Children, seniors, immigrants and disadvantaged communities. Specific impacts include:
  • Nearly 5 million fewer library materials circulated;
  • 3.4 million fewer visits, with 680,000 fewer children and young people using the Library's safe and reliable spaces after school;
  • 230,000 fewer young people attending library programs;
  • 520,000 fewer computer sessions offered across the system;
  • Reduced access for seniors, who often use our libraries in the morning. Many of these morning hours would be cut, as they serve the fewest number of patrons.

The Legislative Agenda for New York State 2009-2010 Budget

New York Statewide

• Restore the $18 million cut in Library Aid: the Executive Budget does not include $18 million in State Library Aid - which results in a loss of $2.8 million for the New York Public Library. This brings Library Aid funding back to 1993 levels at a time when library use has dramatically increased. People are turning to libraries in record numbers for assistance with job information, career counseling, resume workshops and technology training.

New York Public Library Agenda

• Support the Schomburg Center: The world-renowned Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture would be forced to reduce programs and services due to the loss of $77,000 in funding. The Schomburg Center is the nation's preeminent archive documenting the global experience of peoples of African descent.
• Support Services to Blind and Visually Impaired Readers in the New York Metropolitan Area: The Andrew Heiskell Braille and Talking Book Library would lose $104,000 for staff and hours of service if the proposed cuts in the Executive Budget were enacted. This would result in a loss of five hours of public service for this vital facility that circulates 400,000 items annually and provides barrier-free accessible service to over 25,000 people on-site while responding to 23,000 telephone requests.
• Support Services at The Science, Industry & Business Library: The proposed Executive Budget calls for a reduction of $105,000 at SIBL which would result in a loss of access to business and job search resources which are crucial at a time when job related requests for information or assistance at the Library has risen by close to 40%.
• Support Services to CUNY Students: The New York Public Library provides vital resources to CUNY students through funding which supports collections particularly targeted to CUNY students. The Executive Budget proposes a cut to this program which would result in the loss of 11,000 fewer books as well as reduced access to microforms and digital materials for CUNY students and researchers.

Local Initiatives:

• A Local Branch Member Item of $15,000 or more: Please support your branch libraries with a member item of $15,000 or more to be used to purchase books and materials at your local library.

Response to the NY Post
via e-mail on 2/24/09

To the editor:

Your February 24 editorial, 'Fat in the Libraries,' is truly a wonder of innuendo and misleading information. How very strange that your editorial makes no distinction between the high pensions paid to management, and the much lower pensions paid to the average library worker. Even elementary arithmetic, dividing the total pension cost of $20.6 million by the 1128 retirees, without subtracting the pensions of the highest paid management retirees, shows an average pension of $18,277. If you subtract just those two management examples, the average goes down to $17,096 - hardly 'great rewards' for many years of work.

Our members would love to have half the pension of either of your examples. Of course, higher pensions do indeed go to those who have worked longest for the city. One of our clerks, who worked 40 years in a responsible position, receives $35,000. A senior librarian, with a master?s degree, who worked over 36 years, receives $44,000. Most of our staff work 25 years or less, so their pensions will be much less.

Incidentally, though the City Council does recognize the importance of libraries in the annual budget process, budget cuts are seldom if ever fully restored, let alone with funds added. The libraries are currently operating on a budget smaller than that of 2001, before 9/11. You may have noticed that prices for just about everything, from books to fuel, have increased in that time.

Yours truly,
Carol Thomas, President, Local 1930, DC37 AFSCME - The New York Library Guild
Eileen Muller, President, Local 1482, DC 37 AFSCME - The Brooklyn Library Guild
Margalit Susser, President, Local 1321, DC 37 AFSCME - The Queens Library Guild

The first 4% Raise that was due March 3, 2008:

As of 2/25/09, no paydate has been given to the culturals and the (3) library systems. Research & Negotiations and the unions have been told that in order to pay us, that monies must be moved from the labor reserves. It is our understanding that this budget modification has not been done. We will keep you informed of any further developments.

Local 1930 Contract

Fellow 1930 members, please click here to view the current contract between the Library and the Union.

Library Site Manager job description as ratified by the Branch Librarians on October 3rd

Position: Library Site Manager
Salary:
FLSA Status: Exempt

Eligibility Requirements: Bachelor's degree; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Substantial, successfully demonstrated public library experience working in a variety of responsible roles displaying administrative, supervisory, and leadership skills appropriate to the position. Successfully demonstrated commitment to providing consistent, high-quality public services. Commitment to diversity. Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills including the ability to serve as an enthusiastic ambassador for the Library. Successful experience supervising, training and mentoring staff. Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, identify and assess problems and decisively implement appropriate solutions or recommendations. Ability to work well independently and collaboratively across the Library to get things accomplished. Successfully demonstrated creativity, flexibility, and initiative in accommodating community and staff needs. Knowledge and understanding of urban library issues, library and information technologies; library policies and procedures.

General Description: Under the general direction of the Library Network Manager, supervises all aspects of library services at a site. Develops strategies to enhance the onsite user experience. Responsible for driving increased circulation and attendance for the site. Uses statistics and metrics to tailor services and branch staff scheduling to meet local community needs. Responsible for successful outreach with community organizations, schools, and elected officials. Responsible for the maintenance and updating of site collection profile and communicating collection needs to the Collections Strategy Office. Plans, assigns, directs and coordinates the delivery of services. Responsible for resolving patron complaints and staff performance issues. Ensures that staff devote sufficient time to public service and site hours meet patron requirements. Collaborates with Library Network Manager, facilities and security administrators, and others to ensure that the site is well-maintained and managed and that technology is operational. Works with the respective Library Services Manager to deliver relevant community-specific programs. Ensures site staff participation in relevant and appropriate training programs. Has final authority for site schedules, money, and timesheets. Responsible for tracking timing and preparation of staff performance reviews. Serves as the hiring manager for the site and is responsible for administering personnel actions in PeopleSoft. Performs related duties as required.

Performance Expectations: It is expected that the Library Site Manager will:

• Have a strong commitment to diversity.
• Have a rigorous and attentive approach to assessment of services and future planning
• Demonstrate creativity in problem-solving
• Be a competent, magnetic ambassador for the Library
• Be flexible in accommodating community and staff needs
• Be able to assess and be decisive in ambiguous situations
• Work collaboratively across the organization to get things done
• Have knowledge of issues and challenges facing the "Library as Place" — the location where new and emerging information technologies and resources are combined with traditional sources of knowledge in a user-focused, service-rich environment that support's today's social and educational patterns of learning, teaching and research.
• Maintain a strong commitment to customer service and "radical welcome" — one that is open, embracing, hospitable, respectful, and affirming
• Be a strong, well-respected, team motivator and mentor

Library Site Manager Description. September, 2008

NYPL site in Long Island City

The two letters below give some background to the ongoing discussion between the Union and management regarding the move of some Library staff to Long Island City.

January 15, 2008

Mr. Peter Gurgigno
Health and Safety Officer
New York Public Library

Dear Mr. Gurgigno:

As you are aware the New York Public Library signed a long-term lease at 31-11 Thomas Avenue in Long Island City and is transferring approximately 300 members to this site in Fall 2009.

December 2007 Channel 5 10 o'clock news featured a story about a toxin TCE (Trichloroethylene) was found under the former Swingline Stapler Factory. This chemical is a carcinogen and has been linked to causing nerve damage and birth defects. The Swingline Stapler Factory is located very close to the NYPL site in Long Island City.

District Council 37 and the members of both Local 1930 and Local 374 are very concerned about the possible toxic contamination of this new NYPL work site in Long Island City.

I am requesting the following as soon as possible:

• Name and address of the company or companies performing any environmental tests on the LIC site to include dates and times of such tests.
• Any or all results from the environmental testing performed on the LIC site.
• Dates, times and what city agency was notified of such test and copies of any/all permits required.

All of this information requested above will be reviewed by the DC 37 Safety and Health Unit.

Sincerely,
Lisa Riccio
Council Representative

January 30, 2008

Lisa Riccio
Council Representative, Local 1930
DC 37, AFSCME, AFL-CIO

Re: New York Public Library — 13-11 Thomson Avenue, Queens, New York

Dear Lisa:

I am in receipt of your letter dated January 15, 2008.

The New York Public Library is aware of the public concern regarding environmental conditions arising from a nearby property in the general vicinity of the 31-11 Thomson Avenue Site and has undertaken a number of measures to address these concerns as they relate to the future occupancy of the Site by Library staff. In particular, the Library has engaged the services of a qualified environmental firm with special expertise in indoor air/industrial hygiene matters, Environmental Resources Management (ERM), to assess the results of various sampling events in and around the Site building and provide technical advice with respect to ensuring that working conditions in the Site building comply with all applicable environmental/health and safety laws and regulations. Once ERM's initial efforts are completed, we will be happy to share and discuss their conclusions and recommendations with the union.

Please be assured that the health and safety of the Library staff is of the utmost concern to us and that no staff will be permitted to work in the Site building until we receive assurances that conditions in the building are in compliance with all applicable environmental/health and safety laws and regulations and the indoor environment is deemed to pose no unacceptable risk to occupants.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
Peter Gurgigno
Health & Safety Officer

2008 Stipend for ALA (Mid-Winter & Annual), NYSLAA, PLA, and NYLA Conferences

Dear Members,

It is a great gift that your union is able to continue to give up to $100.00 as a stipend to help offset the cost of conferences in 2008. Because of strict IRS guidelines, the following proof of documentation must be submitted to the Treasurer of the union before a check may be issued. **Please note: you must prove that you had incurred an out-of-pocket expense and that you have attended the conference.**

This $100 stipend will be limited to those who will not receive any compensation from the Library (Library Time Only). You must provide the union with a copy of the following: NYPL-Travel Expense Form #1003 (completed and signed front and back); conference registration form; transportation (Amtrak, airline, bus receipt); and hotel receipt. No exceptions. Please make sure that your name appears on each receipt.

All documentation is due within 30 days after the conference ends. Please send all receipts through IBL to Nina Manning @ HTR. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me directly @ 212-206-5444.

In solidarity,
Nina E. Manning
Treasurer

Your Voice
Add your voice to the Local 1930 Update.
Submit your articles, stories, letters, cartoons, etc. to local1930update@gmail.com


Radio Show
Listen to three of your coworkers from the Local 1930 Executive Board discuss the NYPL restructuring. Listen online at http://www.dc37.net/news/radioshows/radioshows.html, or tune in to WNYE, 91.5 FM, Sunday nights, January 13 or 20; or Wednesday afternoons, January 16 or 23.

PLEASE POST

I WANT TO STRESS THAT THIS IS NOT A PILOT AGENDA
THIS IS FOR REAL...

20 MILLION $ (given by the City Council to open the branches 6 days with 45 hours of public service)
-76 (new hires/promotions in the branches only)
=staff shortages, lower morale, involuntary transfers.

All of the above and other issues will be addressed at a labor/management meeting that is to be scheduled.

— The Executive Board, Local 1930
8/28/07

*Download Acrobat Reader to view and print PDF files.

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