Regina,
I can tell you that the MCA now has no full-time professional position.
I took the position of MCA librarian on Janice Dillard's resignation in
October 2000. In May 2001 I was told that my full-time position was
being reduced to a one day a week position. I believe that this was
done for a number of reasons. Firstly, and the official reason, was
that the budget needed to be trimmed. The librarian position was the
only one cut/eliminated. Other positions in the museum that became
vacant were not filled but I see that as a different means of fiscal
savings. Secondly, the museum has a long track record of not supporting
the library. The position has been, at times, full-time, part-time and
nonexistent. When I interviewed for the job I was well aware of this
and pressed the issue. I was told that the museum was fully backing the
position and that I need not worry. Seven months later I was told that
my job was being reduced to one day a week.. Lastly, and most
deviously, the museum has not filled (to my knowledge) the one day a
week position. It was presented to me in that manner so that I was not
officially laid off, thus allowing the museum to be free of offering any
severance package. In an effort to retain my position I made a survey
of comparable museum libraries (including yours) and enlisted the aid of
ARLIS/Midstates (thanks again Sonja) all to no avail.
I don't know the results of Janice's survey but I doubtt she would mind
being asked about them. She now works at the Newberry Library and can
be contacted at [log in to unmask]
Dennis McGuire
Visual Resources Librarian
Columbia College Chicago
[log in to unmask]
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