I don’t live in Anchorage and normally don’t pay much attention to Anchorage politics. But as a retired librarian, I know how important the Loussac Library and its branches are for the Anchorage community and as a resource for the entire state. I also know what it takes to run a library. It’s irresponsible and just plain wrong to think that someone who has no job experience in libraries and no degree in library science is qualified to run the largest public library in the state.
A master’s degree in counseling and educational leadership does not qualify anyone to manage a library system. Neither does being a library supporter and lifelong learner, as wonderful as that is, or having “shelved books.” Here is what it does take, as stated in the advertisement for the position before Mayor Dave Bronson took office: “Minimum qualifications include a Master’s degree in Library Science from an American Library Association-accredited college or university and seven years of professional library experience, with three of those in an administrative capacity in a moderate to large library system.” The previous director had two master’s degrees, in library science and public administration.
Do the taxpayers of Anchorage really want to pay someone more than $120,000 per year to learn their job?
The people of Anchorage deserve better. They deserve a library director who is qualified for the position.
— Ann Dixon
Homer
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