Petition: We want our Librarian back
Petition: We want our Librarian back
Mathew Rose, Sebastopol Branch Library Director, put on administrative leave
{UPDATE: Perhaps thanks in part to the petition drive described below, Mathew Rose returned to work on Monday, May 22. See that story here.]
On April 7th, Sebastopol’s Branch Library Director Mathew Rose learned from the HR Director of the Sonoma County Public Library system that he had been put on administrative leave. He was not told why. Rose, who has been the head of the Sebastopol Library since November 2012, is well respected among the staff he works with and the community he serves. Now, after six weeks, he is still being paid to stay at home and he wonders if he will ever get his job back, a job he loves.
Gayle Bergmann started a petition on Change.org to restore Mathew Rose to his position as Branch Library Director. 175 people have signed the petition so far. “A lot of people know Mathew and hold him in high regard because they’ve interacted with him for 11 years — either as employees, volunteers, or library patrons. He’s an asset to our community.” Her petition declares: “We want him back.”
Today, several people are outside the library gathering signatures for the petition, including Sarah Glade Gurney, Gayle Bergmann and Dave Little. They had picked up an additional 50 signatures by mid-day.
The Library Director Erika Thibault, who started in her position in early February, did not respond to a request for comment, citing that it was a personnel matter.
Bergman’s petition says that Rose “has been put on administrative leave for what we believe are unsubstantial and inconsequential reasons, stemming from efforts to expand the staff and services of the Sebastopol library.”
In an interview, Rose said that based on the timing of the letter and questions that were asked during an investigation by phone conducted by the HR Director, that the letter is “the instigating reason for me being placed on leave with a reasonably high level of certainty.”
Let’s separate out Mathew Rose from the need for more staff at the Sebastopol Library. It could be that the two are unrelated, despite appearances.
How staffing the local library became a politicized issue
Bergmann’s petition cites a letter of support written by City Council Member Steven Zollman and approved by the rest of the council that was sent to Library Director Thibault. The March 21st letter, linked below, advocated for use of Measure Y funds to increase the staffing levels in Sebastopol.
Former Councilmember/Mayor Sarah Gurney is a newly appointed member of the Citizens’ Oversight Committee for Measure Y, and made the City aware that the Sebastopol Branch of the Regional Library is seriously understaffed: as to positions for one full-time adult Librarian and one full-time Children’s Librarian. Library Commissioner Fred Engbarth, and Branch Manager Mathew Rose also ask for support for additional staffing.
The letter adds:
Our community needs the Library Staff it deserves, this additional staffing is warranted by statistics. Also, as our community looks to its future, it will need deeper and more extensive services provided by our Branch Librarians…
You can download and read the full letter below.
In a letter dated April 3rd, Library Director Thibault and Library Commissioner Chair Deborah Doyle responded to the City Council, linked below. In part, it says:
The only practical way to add as many staff as Commissioner Engbarth and Branch Manager Rose suggest is to spend considerable funds to remodel the existing space, which would reduce the square footage allotted to the public, a solution that, in my opinion, is a step backward. Plus, those funds do not currently exist.
I have listened and heard the request for more staff, but the building simply cannot support it. Our recent Facilities Master Plan, which we provided to the City in 2022, states: “Given the inadequacies of the existing building, it is strongly recommended that it be replaced with a larger branch of at least 20,000 square feet.” This is compared to 10,000 square feet now in use.
I confess to being surprised that Commissioner Engbarth took the step of sending his letter without discussing his concerns with the Library Commission Chair or with me; I can imagine how a City Council might feel if the shoe was on the other foot. No one proactively reached out to us to better understand our decision-making process for staffing levels. I appreciate hearing his passion for the community, and we will discuss improving our internal communication.
Library Director Thibault turned the discussion about staffing into a familiar lament about the inadequate facilities at the Sebastopol branch library, a situation that is unlikely to change any time soon. By dismissing the staffing issue entirely in the letter, Thibault ignored the needs of Sebastopol and the West County community, which could at least have been acknowledged. Thibault seems more concerned with enforcing internal processes than addressing the public’s concerns. (Four days after the letter was sent, Rose was put on administrative leave.)
Council Member Zollman Responds
I reached out to Council Member Zollman who is the Council’s liaison to the Library and a former Library Commissioner. Zollman said he could not comment on Rose as it was a personnel matter. “No one from the city was consulted about this action or the consequences it would have for our community,” he wrote. In another email, he added: “I know how hard Mathew works and how dedicated he is to his branch and to meeting the needs of our community. Since his time away, I have been approached by many who have expressed how much he is missed.”
I pushed him to address the staff issue apart from Mathew Rose, which was raised by the City Council and Library Commissioner Fred Engbarth and had now become a political issue.
The Sebastopol Library plays a vital role in our community and as a Councilmember who is the liaison to the Sebastopol Library, it was important that the Council as a whole discuss advocating for staffing for this community resource which is what the Council did in March. The library not only serves the community of Sebastopol but also West County and the Council as a whole unanimously voted to urged the Library to review and consider additional staffing. As we know, similar to the City, the needs for our community are increasing daily and the Sebastopol Library has demonstrated that not only is it a hub for access to books and media, it provides a quiet, safe place to spend time, read, or study for those that may not have that quiet safe place at home, it provides internet and technology for those less fortunate who do not have that while also creating a space for connecting people with services and acting as a refuge during the day for those less fortunate.
Therefore, advocating for funding for staffing from Library Administration for a vital resource in our community is one of our roles as Councilmembers.
I also reached out to Sebastopol Library Commissioner Fred Engbarth and he was unable to respond in time for this story.
Sarah Gurney Responds
Former Council Member Sarah Glade Gurney who had been previously the liaison to the Library also responded. Her presence outside the library today speaks to her support for Mathew Rose.
I see the situation as a community issue. That's why I submitted my letter to the Council in support of Council Member Zollman's request for authorization for the Mayor to request adequate staffing at our Branch. The Council represents our citizenry and, in its various responsibilities, often also works for the great Sebastopol area and West County. The Council unanimously supported the request for more staff.
Mathew and his Staff have brought our Library to new heights of public service, as evidenced by the buzz inside, the number and variety of classes and activities, circulation statistics, and more - all in the smallest City in the County and in a less-than-adequate building. I am impressed, not only with his professional achievements, but also with his compassion and concern for the public, for instance the Social Services Day. For many in the West County, our Branch is a welcoming community living room. Our community would delight if our LIbrary Staff were encouraged to strive for even better service.
Personnel matters are confidential, under the law, and Mathew owns the right to privacy. He can share information (that's why I'm directing you to an interview, if he does one). Admin cannot comment publicly about personnel matters.
And there are always more than two sides to any story. The community's side needs a voice.
As the former long-term Council Liaison to the Library, the Council Representative on the regional committee that amended the Joints Powers Agreement, and a library user, I want Admin at HQS to know how the community feels about Mathew's performance as our Branch Manager. Providing that information seems critical to me, in the context of any performance evaluation or administrative action. Mathew has tremendous support. His constituents are grateful for his work and want him back. I'm hearing that message over and over again, in response to the Petition seeking his reinstatement.
Editorial
Most of those who are petitioning for Mathew Rose to return to his position don’t necessarily care about why. They just want to know when he is coming back.
Sebastopol and West County deserve a clear response from Thibault about Mathew Rose’s future as Sebastopol Branch Library Director. The community deserves a more thoughtful response about the legitimate need for increased staffing than what Library Director Thibault and Library Commission Chair Doyle provided in their dismissive April 3rd letter.
If indeed Thibault’s action was tied to Rose’s advocacy among community partners for increased staffing to serve his community better, this will be a troubling example for all librarians and directors in the Sonoma County Library system to see from their new leader. The Library Commission needs to pay close attention and learn more about the dedicated library patrons and volunteers who are outside the Sebastopol Library today collecting signatures to support Mathew Rose.
HR not telling the director why he is being put on leave is the worst type of management you can have. She should have called him into a meeting and discussed any deficiencies with him.
Please note the much appreciated art exhibits displayed in the Sebastopol Library Forum Room.
Mathew Rose has been a leader in maintaining this space for a very large variety of themes, artists, conversations and above all, attendance by many who would not feel comfortable elsewhere. He has ensured that these art shows maintain their existence so that anyone can access arts and crafts in this vibrant community space. This opportunity, of course, is in addition to his leadership based upon inclusion, relevance to a very unique community, access by all in a spirit of welcoming and well being. Barbara Harris, Volunteer Exhibit Coordinator