[Iabs-talk] Fw: peoria talking book staff layoffs
Patti Gregory-Chang
pattichang at att.net
Thu May 20 00:44:16 UTC 2010
I am sorry to share this news with all of you.
May 17, 2010
>
> RE: Change in ALS Core Services
>
>
> Dear ALS family and friends,
>
> I have sad but significant news. Due to the Illinois financial situation,
> the Alliance Library System will be changing its core services
> dramatically effective Monday, May 31, 2010.
>
> ALS new core services will be:
>
> · the delivery of materials, which currently accounts for more than
> 1 million items annually.
>
> · supporting RSA and resource sharing.
>
>
>
> There will no longer be:
>
> · Continuing education and consulting services.
>
> · Marketing, advocacy, or library promotional services.
>
> · Innovation and grant development services.
>
> · Web services.
>
>
>
> MITBC services will be suspended until funding is re-established.
>
>
>
> More than 80% of ALS funding originates from an annual grant from the
> Illinois General Assembly distributed through Secretary of State Jesse
> White's office. Library systems have not had a budget increase in more
> than 20 years, and last August, we received a 16½% budget cut. To date,
> ALS has not received 42% ($668,206) of the money owed to it for the fiscal
> year ending June 30. The talking book service has not received 97% of its
> annual funding ($252,618) . ALS is almost out of money. Under these
> conditions, we cannot continue to offer our members the service they
> expect and deserve.
>
>
>
> Last Friday truly was a sad day. On behalf of the ALS Executive Committee,
> I called together the wonderful ALS, RSA and MITBC staffs to announce that
> 22 ALS and MITBC staff will be laid off as of Friday, May 28.
>
>
>
> All ALS IT support staff and all ALS Consulting and CE staff positions
> will be eliminated. All MITBC staff will be on temporary layoff (meaning
> no salary or benefits, but the possibility of a recall) and suspending
> talking book services until funding returns. ALS will streamline delivery
> without affecting the frequency
>
>
>
> During the next two weeks, Kendal, Paul, Morgan and I will be focused
> totally on assisting staff with applying for unemployment insurance,
> seeking alternate employment, investigating re-training/education options,
> and retirement procedures.
>
>
>
> Our goal is to help every staff member find a soft landing.
>
>
>
> You have done everything possible to help us turn this situation around.
> The ALS board, library members, staff, friends, and family have fought for
> our survival and rallied behind us on numerous occasions. Thank you for
> participating in our campaigns, contacting legislators and supporting our
> cooperative efforts. Unfortunately, we have run out of options; the storm
> is upon us, and we are in survival mode. Other Illinois library systems
> are on different time lines as to when they will run out of money, but
> they are all in trouble. There is no safe harbor from this storm.
>
>
>
> Personally, I am humbled by your support and words of kindness in this
> tsunami of change; they are much appreciated. I am particularly grateful
> to ALS president John Richmond who, throughout this mess, has been
> visionary, supportive, and so very kind
>
>
>
> To my co-workers at ALS: Never before have I been so privileged to work
> with such an impassioned and visionary group of folks. You made coming to
> work an adventure. Wherever you land, whatever you do, I hope that the
> passion and team spirit that you brought to Alliance every single day will
> be reborn in your new adventure.
>
> You are simply the best!
>
>
>
> Sincerely,
>
>
>
>
>
> Kitty Pope
>
> Executive Director
>
>
>
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