Succinctly put, the library district is on the hot seat. As controversy swirls in the wake of Sue Lathrop’s termination of longtime John Tomay Library director John Ewers, the district’s governance board, one of a number that oversee two libraries, seems determined to stand behind Lathrop.
Lathrop’s credibility was challenged if not shot the moment she sent the e-mail saying Ewers had “chosen to pursue other options and has left the Library District.” In fact, Lathrop signed Ewers’ Notice of Termination on Aug. 31, 2015. One cannot be terminated if he/she voluntarily left.
Complicit in this affair is County Attorney Bob Loeffler, who serves as treasurer of the district library board but has taken on an outsized role. The inclusion of Loeffler by Lathrop in her dealings with Ewers has to be seen as a subtle message meant to intimidate.
This drama ordinarily would be of concern only to library patrons and to Ewers’ friends. But the library district is generously funded by our tax dollars, and what is coming to light in the wake of Ewers’ termination shows a dysfunctional organization in need of scrutiny. This has become a legitimate area of concern for every library district taxpayer.
There arise questions of accountability and transparency, of which there seems to be none.
When one compares the Clear Creek Metropolitan Recreation District organization, from its professionally designed, inviting and easily found website to its human resource policies, to the library district, the comparison is stark. Professionalism versus amateurism.
In my Sept. 23 column, I note how the employee is hit over the head with the introduction to the handbook, letting them know in uppercase letters they are at-will employees who can be fired for any reason at any time. Of course, the law says differently.
Contrasting that language, the CCMRD employee handbook reads, “Any individual may voluntarily leave the employment of CCMRD upon notice or may be terminated at any time for any reason as long as there is not a violation of federal, state or local law.”
In addition, there is a delineated, clearly defined progressive procedure for discipline.
“We believe it is important that all employees are treated fairly and that disciplinary actions are prompt, consistent and impartial,” the handbook reads. “The purpose of a disciplinary action is to correct the problem, prevent it from happening again and prepare the employee for satisfactory performance for the future.”
The policy goes on to lay out a four-step process that “may lead to termination,” noting though that if the process is successful, the slate could be wiped clean after three months.
Checking with the Special Districts Association of Colorado, a professional organization that serves as a resource to and assists special districts in their mission, I learned the library district is not a member in 2015. It was in 2014. It wasn’t in 2013, but it was in 2012. The CCMRD, on the other hand, has consistently renewed its membership.
The district’s in-and-out, inconsistent participation is another indication of the mismanagement and lack of concern for the professional well-being of the libraries.
Despite their track records to date, I like to think there is hope for Lathrop and the board to get it right. Maybe they can begin by uncanceling the November meeting at the John Tomay Library. Maybe they can move it to the Georgetown community center and set up a forum in which Lathrop and each board member hosts a small group listening session. Maybe they can announce they have hired an independent auditor to conduct a complete head-to-toe analysis, which, when completed, would be presented to the board in a large space to accommodate concerned citizens who in the end only want what is best for their libraries.
Maybe. We’ll see.
Next week: Inherent dangers of special districts and other community boards
Jerry Fabyanic is a Georgetown resident and regular columnist for the Clear Creek Courant. He also hosts Western Exposure on KGOAT radio 102.7 FM alternate Saturdays at 3 p.m. Respond to his comments by e-mailing westexp@aol.com.