It will be two years next month since the staff of the Bryant Library has been trying to negotiate a fair contract with the library board of trustees. We have been trying to preserve our jobs and the terms and conditions of our employment. We are not asking for anything that is fiscally irresponsible. In fact. staff proposals are well in line with current budgets and past practices and reflect the many, many years of experience and the longevity of the staff. This is not what the library board would have you believe.

Their attempt to demonize the staff in the eyes of the public is not going to make the issues go away. It just serves to highlight that instead of working with the staff, they hold us in contempt and bitterly resent conforming to established public library standards concerning staff. Trying to inflame taxpayers with a recent mailing using salary ranges that are in error, misleading and that omit administrative salaries and benefits (which add up to a sizable amount of the personnel salary and benefit percentage quoted.) This is cowardly and typical of the insincerity and deviousness that has pervaded the process of trying to get a fair contract. It should be noted that the percentage of personnel costs quoted are a standard percentage of library operating budgets. A public library does not produce a tangible visible product. It provides a most valuable commodity¬community service. Service for all ages, economic classes and intellectual pursuits. The Bryant Library staff works to keep this library open 71 hours a week, 12 hours during weekdays, 332 days per year every year .

Working in the public sector has traditionally meant lower than private industry salaries, compensated with a benefits package. The board seeks not only to keep employees from advancing by whatever means possible, but also wishes to erode what makes taking a lesser salary palatable. Many of you may have seen the Roslyn Public Schools Superintendent's recent editorial in The New York Times lamenting the fact that young people are opting for private industry instead of educational positions in public schools, due to poor financial rewards. The same is true in our field.

People go into the library sciences because they are curious by nature and are dedicated to helping people. They know they are not going to be rich financially. But, after spending over $150,000 for undergraduate degrees and $25,000 for a master's in library information science (conservatively) it would seem reasonable to expect a decent salary with room for growth and advancement.

With the attitudes manifested by our management, the future and quality of the public services offered by the Bryant Library is in great danger. It does not bode well for the intellectual freedom of this community. What is happening to the Bryant Library staff would discourage any young person from pursuing library information science as a career.

Please support the future of the Bryant Library and come to the next board meeting on Monday, Oct. 25 at 8 p.m.

The Bryant Library Staff Association