A small group of vocal people, driven and encouraged by actors and agendas outside of Woburn. In short, we are unable to fulfill our mission. A library isnt just supposed to serve middle-class white mothers of seven-year-olds. Prospector. Getting the marble through the towers requires logic and reasoning skills. Before coming to Dedham, she was working as Head of Youth Services at Dover Public Library, where her hard work over her 15-year tenure helped the library earn recognition by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as one of the best small libraries in North America in 2012. The Friends Board, despite our best efforts, was unable to find common ground with her. The issues came to a head over our annual book sale. Americas first library was created by Ben Franklin. Skip to main content Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. We're looking for different ways to connect, and signal that we're all going through this together," said Bonnie Roalsen, director of the Woburn Public Library. But not in an atmosphere of misinformation, lack of civility and threats. It is with heavy hearts we write to you today to announce the Friends of the Woburn Public Library have begun the process of dissolution. Roalsen integrated technology to expand the publics access to content and foster digital literacies needed in the modern world with a passionate focus on equitable access, no group went untouched or unhelped by the Directors new initiatives. Born July 1, 2013 Carli died peacefully. ", Roalsen noted that due to the pandemic, "the library will not return to full, normal operation anytime soon. Tap here to review the details. Ronald Roalsen George Edward Schafer (1/1/44-9/17/13) Carol Scheele Mel Takeuchi Janet Wilson (1945-2013) Class of 1963. Check resumes and CV, places of employment, public records, social media profiles, arrest records, publications, work history, news and related names We found one person named Bonnie Roalsen living in the US. Roalsen wrote that as the library cannot fully open, "the need to reduce staff is therefore clear." The following letter was provided by Woburn Public Library Assistant Director Rebecca Meehan: For the past several years, the Woburn Public Library has worked toward your vision of what a library should be (this is in line with some of the great libraries of the world). I will reiterate what I said at the last trustees meeting: The world is changing at a rapid pace-a pace only accelerated by the pandemic. . He had books on the first floor and electricity experiments on the second. <>/Metadata 199 0 R/ViewerPreferences 200 0 R>> 3 0 obj Its important to note that we only receive $6,000 per year for programming from the mayor, as part of the taxpayer-funded part of the operating budget. Bonnie Roalsen Library DirectorWoburn Public Library, USA Library Director, Woburn Public Library. The majority of our programming for the benefit of Woburn residents comes from private individual donations, as well as the generous endowment of the librarys trust funds, separate from taxpayer money. Meehan calls this defiant ignorance of the future, coupled with naked political agendas and cronyism. Roalsen says its a modern building without modern ideas [thats] just four walls and rooms full of shelves. Both appear to rely on an undercurrent of technochauvinism, invoking the spectre of automation and the challenges and opportunities of post-pandemic America as justification for their attempts to disempower (and dismiss) their staff. Only new and evolving ideas guarantee that future. It I therefore incumbent on all of us entrusted with taxpayer funds to adjust accordingly.". To find who lives on your street, visit radaris.com and enter that street's address, city, state, or zip code. "The pandemic has accelerated that timeline and forced us to do things in new ways.". The staff and their supporters, in an online petition as well as a letter-writing and signage campaign, say that there is plenty for staff to do, but they are not being allowed to. x]mo8^ACoz[kz${>M\3CILRef4pIn\}Q1 Its time for other voices to be heard. Bonnie Zeldin Rosen #68105 License Status: Active Address: Rosen & Rosen LLP, 18301 Von Karman Ave, Ste 410, Irvine, CA 92612-0111 Phone: 714-939-0111 | Fax: 714-978-7347 Email: jcrin@eotfm. But I also want to make clear that neither the trustees nor library administration had a seat at that negotiation table. The loss of support for museum passes, the Teddy Bear Picnic, Woburn Reads, and other Friends-sponsored events will leave a hole in the community at a time when we need to come together. "As library director, I want to set the record straight. The City of Woburn is an EOE/AA Employer. This caught the mayors attention in a way we hadnt yet seen. 79183 Waldkirch. But I also have to be clear that the role of people who work in libraries is constantly changing, my own included. The mayor has introduced special legislation to give him the authority to appoint and remove the library director, and according to the trustees' lawyer, not removing Roalsen was the true reason for Galvin's removal of Rabbitt. They became a team and put even more effort into achieving the next goal because it would be an even bigger gift to the community: A library that would help prepare Woburnites for a rapidly changing future. Acceding to his request, we chose to hold only two events that fall, the Playhouse dedication in the Childrens Room, and our Annual meeting. Adolf-Ruth-Str. Bonnie Roalsen is the Library Director at Woburn Public Library based in United States. Create a Sweetheart Swan Note Holder. They include: This impressive list of accomplishments is par for the course with Roalsen. A librarythis librarymust be a place where people gain the knowledge that propels them toward a better future. Finding lost family members has been made easy by Radaris. Be a cultural beacon that respects and reflects the diversity of the world today. It is also why, last month, I asked the mayor to release funds from the existing operating budget for four new jobs--union jobs-- which reflect the needs of a post-pandemic society and libraries. But this saga started back in the spring, and though Roalsen and Meehan attempt to paint a very different picture in their resignation letters (available at the end of this article), we didnt arrive at this moment because of the political takeoverthat goes against our core values as Americans, or because of an expectation to only serve middle-class white mothers of seven-year-olds. Were here because even though the librarys FY21 budget was increased, Roalsen allegedly attempted to eliminate 17 of 25 jobs in the library during a pandemic and over 7,000 people said NO. Were here because Roalsen and Meehan insisted there was no work for staff members to do while the volunteer organization that was called in to help provide book pickup services figured out they were supplanting union jobs and refused to continue. Without the ability to fundraise, we cannot sponsor the museum passes or programs like Woburn Reads or the Teddy Bear Picnic. Friends of the Woburn Public Library Board. Dedham, Massachusetts Search Background Check Dedham Public Library Business Data 43 Church St, Dedham, MA 02026 (781) 751-9284 mtricarico@dedham-ma.gov library.dedham-ma.gov AllBiz Business Profile Search Professional Contact Details Bonnie Roalsen Coworkers at Dedham Public Library (3) Libraries are meant to be laboratories for all kinds of curious minds. "When I took this job less than two years ago, that modernization had already been in the works for years," Roalsen wrote. This is shameful for those who committed these acts, and an embarrassment to Woburn. Library Director Bonnie Roalsen stepped down in Feb. hours before Woburn City Council was due to discuss legislation to give the mayor the power to remove her. I have spent the last 15 years of my career broadening the services and materials that libraries provide. As Paul Reynolds, founder of the Dedham Library Innovation Team, a local, non-profit library advocacy group, notes, While we understand that Bonnie was offered a tremendous professional opportunity, we cant help feeling wistful after witnessing the astounding revolution in services, programming, and community engagement that she brought to Dedham. Youll never look at a library the same way. %PDF-1.7 The volley of Open Meeting Law complaints kept coming one after the other through the summer and the fall, but it seems like the final straw was the disastrous trustees meeting on January 19. They are urgently needed to help the community face the unprecedented pace of technological change, for people to remain relevant in the face of automation, and to find a place in the inevitable societal restructuring now taking place. Fax. Contact. The proposed legislation would likely take months to come into effect it requires state approval but the council showed support the first time they discussed it, Feb. 2. "When I took this job less than two years ago, that modernization had already been in the works for years," Roalsen wrote. Bonnie Roalsen Library Director Woburn Public Library, USA. Once you see that vision for the library, you cant unsee it. Galvin already moved to remove the Board's president, Jan Rabbitt, in January, although she is fighting her removal. This is an area that has been accelerated by the pandemic, making this more possible than ever before thanks to technology. We are supposed to welcome all people that make up the fabric of this city. Thank you and keep up the great work of advocating for library workers. The director has also made decisions that led to the dissolution of the Friends of the Library volunteer group. Review on Cybo. Professional Job Listings in New England Public Positions Sen de bir konuda kampanya balatmak ister misin? That includes in neighboring towns with far larger budgets. "Unfortunately, many skills of library staff do not translate to the digital world of a pandemic," Roalsen said. Search or verify contact lists in minutes with bulk tasks. Skip to main content Due to a planned power outage on Friday, 1/14, between 8am-1pm PST, some services may be impacted. Access to the facility was also improved with the addition of an accessible walkway along the back of the facility. Director Bonnie Roalsen has a developed a reputation for making decisions that have harmed her staff, including the alleged unexpected removal or alteration of the circulation (front) desks at both Dedham and Woburn Public Library. She will be sorely missed, but we must now find a worthy successor to carry on the tremendous momentum Bonnie has set in motion., Library Trustee Chair, Margaret Connolly concurs, Under Bonnies leadership, our libraries have become vibrant centers for life-long learning with a relentless focus on making sure everyone in the community - young and old, regardless of income level - is welcomed and supported.Janet Holmes, Treasurer Friends of Dedham Library also offered her thoughts about Roalsens accomplishments while in Dedham, Bonnie did a wonderful job of expanding the scope of what a library can be. This article originally appeared on the Woburn Patch, online petition as well as a letter-writing and signage campaign, the Minuteman Library Network's directors said they would reconsider Woburn's membership, libraries that have laid off or furloughed staff. People named Bonnie Roalsen Find your friends on Facebook Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. Marilyn Peirce. Today, we cant lose that momentum, which is why, incidentally, I wrote Governor Baker a letter last month imploring him not to close libraries again. The library's staff can offer services and programming from home, as scores of libraries throughout the state have been doing for months; however, it looks like the scant programming offerings for the next month will be provided by private performers and not qualified library staff. Library staff members and supporters have rallied against proposed layoffs or furloughs, while the city has said cuts are necessary because of the pandemic, which is hitting city revenues and has required libraries to be closed. Creative and performing arts experience Please submit via email a cover letter, resume, and three professional references to Bonnie Roalsen, Library Director at broalsen@minlib.net. I have a few things Id like to say, and I appreciate the opportunity. The views expressed are the author's own. Ive made a concerted effort to listen to community concerns over the past few months, and I want to continue that, starting with an inclusive strategic planning process. Log In or Sign Up Bonnie Rosen See Photos Bonnie Rosen See Photos Bonnie Rosen See Photos Bonnie Rossen See Photos Bonnie Rosen Rosen See Photos Bonnie J Rosen See Photos Bonnie Katz Rosen See Photos And last year we delivered over 1,000 programs to the community, including events on our lawn, author readings, child development classes for parents, English language learning, Movie Mondays for seniors and so much more. Roalsen cited the "political takeover" of the library in her letter. net bngl@ldljtkis. "I am thrilled to see this funded, as it is an example of how libraries need to think differently in terms of service delivery," Roalsen said. I therefore regretfully submit my resignation to the trustees, effective March 24th. These necessary changes are far more than cosmetic. It goes against our innate desire for intellectual curiosity, exploration and experimentation. But they understood that a library that isnt actively engaging the community in all its corners was just another pretty bit of architecture, a historical footnote. Multiple, new library websites and portals were launched to increase and facilitate communication among patrons and prevent outages. Get Bonnie Roalsen's contact information, phone numbers, home addresses, age, background check, white pages, resumes and CV, places of employment, public records, social media profiles, arrest records, publications, work history, news and related names. At a library the same way all people that make up the great work of advocating for library.. Services may be impacted content Due to a head over our annual book sale, was unable to who... The fabric of this city not fully open, `` the pandemic, `` the library will not to... Reads or the Teddy Bear Picnic prevent outages she is fighting her removal the of... 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