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Show SOUTHERN UTAH NEWS Opinion 4 WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 15, 1995 Guest Editorial By Evan Henderson This is a letter in support of the City Council and their responsibility to provide library services for the people in our community. At this point the situation is awkward and difficult at best. However, I feel that there is pertinent information, possible alternatives, and definite facts that have not been brought out. My understanding is that an alternative(s) was suggested or discussed. It wasnt a d We demand that you resign, situation. The Council has been depicted in a negative, and I feel, unfair light. The whole story hasnt been told. A few have spoken out in a seemingly, at first on the surface, reasonable and logical vein and others have followed suit. I dont, for a second, believe the city council or anyone else wants to hurt Librarian Watson. Im sure what was said and done occurred after a lot of time, thought and discussion maybe years. I have hesitated to say or do anything because it seems that it is difficult to make any decicold-hearte- our library from the city. I honestly believe that the current librarian is the best trained, most knowledgeable, and most experienced person in our community, concerning libraries. She is also a good person and has raised one of the finest, hardworking, most thoughtful and polite sons that I know. Her character, training and knowledge are not in question to anyone as far as I know. At no time have I felt nor have I heard anyone else who feels that it is her fault or that she has intentionally done something wrong. We realize that it is be- yond anyones control, including her own. I also know the lady who spoke to the city council and circulated petitions quite well. We were neighbors for about two years here in Kanab. We also worked together at the middle school for parts of two years. Concerning students with special needs, she is probably the most experienced, best trained, and knowledgeable person I know of here in Kanab. I like her and respect her, both as sion or do anythingthat involves, a person and a professional. Her or has an affect on someone else, presentation to the city council without being misunderstood. was well prepared and presented, No one wants to be accused of and impressive. I do question some of her reawronging or embarrassing someone else, especially in situations soning as indicated in her prelike this. It is very easy to allow sentation and printed in the loemotions and personal feelings cal paper. I feel that it is not to dictate our words and actions. reasonable to assume a person Often these emotions and feel- can perform the functions of a ings are very strong but have librarian without being able to very little or no relationship to communicate verbally at least the real situation. I ask that somewhat fluently. Since there those who read or hear any of is not a specific requirement statthis will read and listen to all of ing, One must have adequate, it before passing judgment. I have had the opportunity to observe and work directly with the current librarian over an extended period of time. I was appointed principal of the Kanab Middle School in August of 1987. At that time the middle school shared the library with the city. We shared expenses, as well as services. Books were marked KanaF City or Kanab Middle School respectively, depending on which agency obtained them. For several years we worked together on the library board, providing services, securing books, sharing supplies, etc. The middle school hired a library aide who served in the library during school hours. She served the public as well as the school students, as did the city librarian. Due to city budget constraints, there was a time when our librarian spent more hours each day in the library than did the city librarian. Some users came to the library when they knew the school librarian was there. At some point the city hired another person to assist part time. Three or four years ago we cleared out a classroom in the school and separated verbal communication skills fore applying for this job, it does not mean that these skills are not necessary for one to function at a high degree of effectiveness. Do you want someone to function at a low or mediocre degree of effectiveness? Since that requirement is not listed, does it mean that one should be hired who cannot communicate verbally at all? Given a choice I think we would all prefer someone who can communicate well, both in writing, and verbally. Here is another example. I have worked as a school teacher, a school counselor, an assistant principal, a principal, a national park ranger, a surveyor, a cab driver in a busy city, a service station attendant, and various other part-tim- e jobs. I dont recall ever having the question asked, or the requirement specifically written on any application I have filled out. As a school administrator, I have interviewed, and participated in hiring, and training, other administrators, teachers, counselors, teacher aides, custodians, hall monitors, deans, secretaries, and others, and I can never in thirty be- seven years remember askingthe question, nor anyone else involved in the process asking the question, ifthe applicant can communicate verbally. It seems to me that it is rather obviously implied as a necessity, by the very nature of the job. A statement was made about a performance being accepted over a period of time and then not being acceptable. How long has the person makingthe statement known the person in question? I believe that anyone who has been aware of the library operation for the past ten years or so, can see a definite difference in both verbal communications, ability in movement to walk and get around, and in hand writing. I realize that some are able to understand quicker and better than others. But library users usually pick the time they wish to go to the library rather than to be told when they can go, or to be scheduled in. I have known some teachers over the years who were good teachers for some time. Because they were already there and it is difficult and very time consuming to terminate a teacher they are allowed to remain. How many students are shortchanged over a period of five, ten, fifteen or more years because administrators or other supervisors allow this to go on? Nobody wants to hurt someone by taking their job away, so hundreds, maybe thousands of students may receive less than a good chance at the kind of edu cation they may otherwise have. I know many people feel the same way because they have brought it up and we have talked about it. How do you make a good choice between one person and their job, and a classroom full of students over the years? It is hard, but hard decisions ought to be made more often than they are. The point here is, because some- - Southern Utah NEWS AAA Deadlines AAA FRIDAY 1 PM See GUESTED, Page 5 The Southern Utah News (ISSN No. 0049-1659- ) is published every N. at 26 Main St., Kanab, Utah 84741 . The SUNews serves Wednesday Kane County, Utah, and the Arizona Strip. Address communications to 26 N. Main St., Kanab, Utah 84741, or Fax telephone 801 44-2900, rates available Advertising upon request. Second Class postage paid at Kanab, Utah 84741 . Newsstand price 50c per copy. Yearly subscription rates to Kane County addresses and Fredonia and Moccasin, Arizona, $22; others $30 (out of U.S. $50). The SUNews reserves the right to edit or reject any advertisement or submitted items. 801-644-292- 6. 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