Comments on: Nashville Public Libraries Enfolding School Libraries project

By: Floyd Pentlin

Floyd Pentlin — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:45:20 +0000

The responses to your questions were terribly frightening because of their lack specificity. This whole thing comes across as an idea someone had over cocktails — Hey, Mickey! Hey, Judy! “Let’s put on a show.”

The whole development process is insulting to education and educators.

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:40:37 +0000

Your questions were a bit like Katie Couric, Diane….and Donna’s answers were a bit like Sarah Palin’s. I have to ask, did she wink? There is simply not enough meat here to tell what has been discussed, AND a further concern is the lack of interest in getting acquainted with the school librarians and seeking collaboration.

As you point out this is not a ‘brand new’ idea. There is much out there about places that have tried similar mixes.

I think that collaboration, since both entitites are under Nashville’s metropolitan government should be pursued. I am all for public and school libraries working in harmony, but I believe that enfolding is too confusing and vague a term to have any idea where this is headed.

By: Diane

Diane — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 06:28:16 +0000

AND, more to address our fears, if this wasn’t a joint project from the get-go, is it actually a hostile take-over? Wow! I can’t believe I wrote that phrase?! No, after talking to Donna, I realized she does not want to fire school librarians and take over operations – particularly in elementary. Now, high schools to Ms Nicely are much more similar in goals so she is more comfortable helping there first. She currently manages 20 public libraries and isn’t prepared to manage 140 HS, MS, and elementary school libraries on top of that. I know Ms Nicely is a good person and didn’t want everyone to panic. But someone has to be out there asking the questions and making people do the research. I’m not the only person asking questions but I’m the lucky one with the blog.

By: Diane

Diane — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 06:23:58 +0000

Hello Pearl, It could seem that school librarians are over-reacting to this idea, but look at the alternatives. If there is no reaction or communication, the plan will fail. Joint ventures need to be planned, researched, and coordinated jointly. That didn’t happen in the beginning and we need the spotlight to stay on this project so that we can insist a proper procedure is followed.

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 20:01:03 +0000

Thank you, Diane for doing this interview and bringing some more light on this issue! As a library media specialist in Metro, I do collaborate with my local NPL branch. However, this “enfolding” idea gives me great concern. This whole deal seems to come down to dollars … more than sense!!!

By: Lynn

Lynn — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:42:05 +0000

Your questions wer excellent! It’s a shame that Ms. Nicely either conveniently or purposely avoided answering the majority of the questions. Her responses included: issues need to be discussed, researched, and/or explored.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:41:00 +0000

At the beginning of the blog post, I thought OK, this doesn’t sound so bad. Strengthening libraries is a good thing. But I, too, was appalled by the lack of definitive answers. And I was especially appalled by her responses concerning personnel. You hit all the points of concern, Diane. Good job. I hope the new director of schools will make sure this idea either stalls or moves in an acceptable direction for all concerned.

By: Doreen

Doreen — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:25:35 +0000

I have been a librarian for over 20 years, working in public, state, special and school libraries. public and school libraries do have much in common, primarily budget issues. It appears that a ”

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:59:08 +0000

Hi Unipanther, Despite the fact that this personally affects me, I was trying to be very fair in the interview. We had a very pleasant conversation and discussed fears that school librarians have about this project.

I really believe I gave an outlet for communicating responses to Ms Nicely. After the interview, I emailed the content of this to her to doublecheck for accuracy and allow for additions or corrections. This interview was the result of serious considerations.

With all of that said, I will work with the NPL and all public libraries on any collaborative projects because I, too, want “stronger partnerships between the public and school libraries.”

This interview was an opportunity for both of us to share information. I am a strong supporter of public libraries and try to educate myself on all types of libraries as a member of ALA.

The difference is in our approach. As a blogger, I wanted to keep the conversation in the open so that we are not shocked by any press conferences in the future. That seems fair…

By: public librarian

public librarian — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:29:25 +0000

The reason people are hostile to the idea before it even starts is that the school system was not included in any meeting or even notified before the public announcement…not a way to encourage teamwork. Since that gaffe can’t be undone, NPL should be trying extra hard to include the school system in the process, yet the opposite is occurring. I am not impacted by this takeover at all and am still appalled by the lack of basic social skills displayed thus far…I can only imagine how upsetting it would be to school librarians who are not receiving any reassurances or representation on the project.