Library Commission Concludes Evaluation of District Librarian's Job Performance

After the closed-session District Librarian Job Evaluation segment of the regular Library Commission meeting held in the Dixon Senior/Multi-Use Center April 18, Commission President Greta Galindo announced, “We have concluded action. There is no action to report.”

Galindo later explained in an interview in response to an obvious question that, though it was never explicitly stated in the meeting, District Librarian Atkins did receive a job evaluation such that he indeed could continue in his present position. She stated she could not comment further due to confidentiality appropriate to a personnel matter.

Prior to the closed session, several audience members rose to offer comments in support of Atkins' job performance during his tenure.

Shirley Parsons, library archivist stated, “The library has turned around in the time Gregg Atkins has served. He's done a good job of meeting the needs of the community.”

Former Dixon City Councilmember Kay Cayler stated that when Atkins first came on board, she'd read his qualifications and was “very impressed.” She also decried “a negative atmosphere” which she said had been fostered by a small group of critics of Atkins. 

Library Trustee Jim Ernst, sitting in the audience for this evening's meeting, stated, “We have not heard what the town of Dixon wants. What you library commissioners hear comes by and large from a group of seven or eight people determined to discredit the library. We need to hear some real diversity in these meetings.”

Then library patron Joe Dingler asked the commissioners how the processing of his request at the March 28 meeting for records concerning payments made by the Library District to independent contractors was progressing. Atkins replied that because the two-week-time period since he'd received the request had not entirely elapsed, library staff still had time to respond. (Dingler had been directed at the March 28 meeting to deliver his request in writing to the library.) Dingler then elaborated on his request, stating he would appreciate receiving information about the sources of the payments as well. 

Dixon City Councilman Michael Ceremello stated he was aware that State Senator Lois Wolk “is following Americans with Disabilities Act compliance concerns at the library.” ADA advocate Byron Chapman had detailed his concerns about aspects of the Library's ADA compliance at the commission's March 17 meeting.

After the Commissioners' return from closed session, Atkins gave the Librarian's Report. He stated patron count (the number of people using the library) has remained about the same since an October shortfall when there was a reduction in the number of students visiting the library. He also reported that LSA Associates has begun work on a CEQA EIR investigation and is slated to offer a first draft report “by the end of May.”

Atkins then addressed efforts by Library District attorneys to abolish the Library Governing Board of Trustees and replace it with the Library Commission He stated that “We've been notified that our proposed change to the Education Code won't be included in the Omnibus Bill this year, due to objections lodged by a private citizen.” 

Library staff and attorneys are currently in consultation regarding other options, Atkins stated, adding he would present options for dealing with this setback at the Governing Board of Library Trustees meeting currently scheduled for April 28.