PASSAIC PUBLIC LIBRARY
PASSAIC PUBLIC LIBRARY IN THE NEWS
The purpose of this page is to provide the public with a fair appraisal of the facts based on the information available. In cases where the newspaper article runs juxtaposed to the opinion of the Library Director and Board of Trustees you will see a highlighted box.
Herald News Editorial dated 05/02/2008
Bobowski had some library successes
I would like to congratulate the current Passaic Library Board of Directors for its interest and dedication to correcting a lot of problems that have faced the library in recent years. Their commitment and hard work are evident by the fact that they have dedicated more hours of their personal time to board meetings and library matters. They have logged in more time in one month than the previous board had in almost a year. I applaud their concern and congratulate Board President Mark S. Auerbach on his leadership abilities at this important time.
In recent weeks, however, there has been much criticism levied against Alan Bobowski, previous director of the Passaic Public Library. Bobowski was not without his faults and had left, and in some cases even created some deficiencies in the library that did not exist before. It is unfair to label Bobowski's tenure a "total failure."
In Bobowski's defense, I list just a few items where I believe he did the library a great service, some of which the current board has seemingly overlooked:
* Made the book sale area a much neater place for browsing for books. Previously, it was a true eyesore and receptacle for litter and discarded items.
* Created a schedule for those who are new to computers to learn the basics without infringing on valuable staff time. The "telecenter," as it came to be known, has become helpful for those new to computers and needing assistance on completing job resumes and other common computer skills.
* Managed to develop a close rapport with the staff, creating a "teamwork" approach to the work we did. He included staff in decisions that would affect their everyday duties and as a result made the overall environment a more pleasant place to work.
* Encouraged improvement on good patron relations. Bobowski never lost sight of the fact that the library was there to serve the public.
* Introduced youth programs and events where high school students could go and enjoy themselves in playing Yu gi oh games and computer games, even going so far as to set up a "teen" committee where young adults felt they could have some say in programming activities.
Although things certainly could have been better during Bobowski's tenure, I believe he did what he could to improve the library, despite limitations put on him by the previous board.
It is my hope that the new board will act rationally in what is the best interest of the library and not let any prejudicial feelings of previous directors or boards override what may be in the best interest of the library and the community as a whole.
These are expressly my own personal views and do not necessarily reflect the views of any of the rest of the staff of the Passaic Public Library.
James D. Bordone, reference librarian, Passaic Public Library