Library System Changes: Board Suspends Controversial Program

By Mary Stachyra Lopez

The Fairfax County Library Board of Trustees voted Wednesday night to suspend a controversial pilot program that would reduce staffing, change the role of staff in the youth services/children's section and, over the long term, replace librarians with "library customer service specialists."

An overflow crowd of more than 200 people attended the meeting at George Mason Regional Library in Annandale on Wednesday night. Many of them cheered as officials voted to suspend the entire proposed strategic plan for the system.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution Tuesday asking the library system to gather more input from staff and the community before reducing positions, consolidating help desks and hiring more staff that do not hold Master of Library Science degrees.

The five residents who spoke Wednesday night — only five can speak, per the board's rules — strongly criticized the proposed changes, which would start with pilot programs at the Reston Regional Library and Burke Centre Library.

"We are working under two assumptions: One is that our county cannot pay for a library service. We are the second-richest county in the country," Kathy Kaplan, with the Fairfax County Federation of Citizens Association, told the board. 

Mary Zimmerman, a former chairwoman of the Friends of the George Mason Library, said that the Master of Library Science degree provided specialized skills for patrons. Zimmerman said that as a retired history professor, she's seen many college students who don't even write term papers until their junior years. She questioned whether someone with an associate's degree or bachelor's degree would have the same type of research abilities. 

"I really urge you to reconsider this beta plan. Because it will not serve the citizens of Fairfax County," she said. 

But while advocates have won more time, they may still have some work to do convincing casual library users. 

Inside the library, Kristan Corsiglia browsed through shelves, searching for a good read. When told of the potential change in staffing, she asked, "What's the difference?"