School Libraries

Okay, lets be clear: I am not a big library guy. I think the last time I was in a library Ronald Reagan was acting. For my younger readers, Ronald Reagan was an actor before he became President. Wait, he was Governor of California before he became President. And he was an actor before he became Governor. Of course, the difference between Reagan and the current California governor, also a former actor, is that Reagan could act. Oh, and he could lead. But that is a whole different discussion. (And, no, don't post your cheap shots at a dead guy on my blog. I won't publish them! Show some respect for the dead, unless its one of my very funny White Gloved dead guy references.)

Anyway, I don't frequent the libraries. I know where the library is. Its that big building in town with a lot of books. Actually, in my town, it is a big building with a lot of books that had to be delayed because the 2nd story couldn't hold all of the books. Nice engineering. There also happen to be libraries at my kids' school. And I think at most schools. Although, I am pretty sure most kids at an elementary school call it a "lie-berry" and not a "library."

As you know, we have budget problems in this state. Our elected leaders have had to make decisions. You know, confirm a Lt. Governor, a job that pays six figures a year and does nothing, or give more money to our kids. The elected leaders, of course, confirmed a Lt. Governor. Nice. But, our budget problems are bigger than that. We have to make cuts in education. I know teachers are going to lose their jobs. The teachers union agreed to a couple of furlough days to save some jobs. The district is cutting stuff left and right. And left. Then more to the right. Then to the left, to the left, to the left. (Come on, you know you are picturing Beyonce as you read that.)

But then we get to the libraries. Did you know that libraries at schools have unionized jobs? Isn't that a bit like lawyers working for the state unionizing? Oh wait, they already have a union. Sorry. The librarians are part of the "Damn it, do it our way" Union - Local 666. Mess with them and you end up under Giants Stadium in a barrel. Don't believe me? The Teamsters didn't take out Hoffa - the librarians did!

So, the librarians are being cut. I feel bad. Really, I do. I don't like to see people lose their jobs. It is bad for them. It is bad for the economy. It is bad for my kids. I get that. But, sometimes, when life gives you lemons, make lemonheads, you know that delicious candy. In this case, the librarians decided to ignore Peter, Paul and Mary and they found out the fruit of the lemon tree is impossible to eat!

The librarian union decided that if they couldn't work in the library, than dang it, no one could. No teachers. No administrators. No parents. No volunteers. No no-one, dang it. Why, the kids are much better off with no library than a library with volunteers, after all. I mean, do we really want kids learning the Dewey Decimal system? Do we really want them to read books, explore the world and learn about new things? Of course not. Next maybe the librarians will decide to have a book burning day!

I know, it is in their contract. The district bargained for it. Well, first, lets start with the fact that school board officials routinely vote for things without actually understanding what it is. They have no impulse control. Second, the union could waive a clause in the contract. It is possible. Heck, even Donald Fehr, the dweeb who runs the MLB players union, waived a provision or two in their BS contract. But, not the librarians. Nope, dang it. They aren't waiving anything, although one wonders if librarians get their jobs back, if they may be waving the black flag - as in the roach motel. (Roaches check in, but they don't check out.) (And no, I didn't have to look up that slogan!)

Memo to the union: if you want parents to feel for you, you need to throw us a bone once in a while. How about you let us volunteer to keep the libraries open so our students can use it. I promise you this - if you don't give on this issue, I will never, ever, ever offer you any support. I know its not a rank and file issue, but a problem with union leadership. By the way, union leadership ranks up there with Aunt Jemima Light. It is just not possible.

So union leadership: how about you remember the purpose of your members? Kids. Kids. Kids. You need to help the kids. Helping the kids means you let parents volunteer. If you are too clueless to get that, then you need to be fired. Now. Jackasses.