Why I make such a big deal out of the library.

I care about libraries because for me, a student and a writer, libraries are educational institutions and work places. I noticed on my first visit to the Kansas City Public Library that the people on the floor were generally courteous and competent but that the library on the whole was badly managed. That much was obvious to anyone who has eyes and ears and who cares about such things.

My library research eventually led me to conclude that the library director and deputy directors should be weeded out along with a few members of the staff who are unable to "let go of the past" with the transition to new technology and new quarters. As for the physical move to the new building on Tenth and Baltimore, it appeared to me that the costs per square foot were outrageously exorbitant in terms of new library space added, that the intention of the donors who were advancing funds was not as charitable as their newspaper was leading the public to believe, and that the intention of the developers was to shift the capital costs and increased expenses to the taxpayer.

It also appeared to me that the library trustee who literally made the new library happen, Jonathan Kemper, had apparent conflicts of interest which at the very least created an appearance of impropriety. I was grateful for his initiative and the results, but I recommended that he step down as library trustee. Given his love for the library project, I believe now that my recommendation was foolish, and that I should have recommended that he resign some of his private positions and take up the direction of libraries, museums, and similar institutions.

Furthermore, I was more concerned with the library collection itself than with its housing, and I was dismayed that none of the $50 million was going toward the development of that collection. In my opinion, the deputy directors lied to me on that subject, and did so with the knowledge of the director. Several staff members complained privately to me about the mishandling of the collection, including "rampant theft," and the inadequacy of funds budgeted for collection development. They also complained that none of the $50 million was being utilized to improve the quality of human resources. They were disturbed that The Kansas City Star "news" coverage and news "analysis" was devoted to "trumpeting"or advertising the physical aspects of the new housing and the moral virtue of the civic leaders involved in the downtown revitalization effort. After I filed numerous reports and opinions on the matter with the newspaper reporters, editors, and the so-called "readers' representative," the Star remained silent on the vital issues and continued to focus on the shell. Hence I opined in all political incorrectness that, in respect to the new library building, a key component of the downtown revitalization effort,  the newspaper reporters are "tail-wagging press putas" and "lapdogs of the power elite."

Again, I care about the library because libraries have been the most important factor in my life. Furthermore, I care about the community, and I believe that the new downtown library building project is indicative not only of what might be made right about the downtown revitalization effort, but of everything that was wrong with the general effort from the first place. In respect to the new library building itself, the mistakes might result in another mausoleum-like Union Station - the station is actually my favorite place in Kansas City, and I hope it will remain open so I can have lunch there (shredded beef tacos) on Saturdays.

Furthermore, my pet peeves about certain library policies are by no means unfounded or insignificant. A particular absurd library policy stubbornly adhered to reflects a neurotic or "stupid" state of mind that naturally pervades the entire administration of the library to its detriment. And it is detrimental to the entire community.  When we trace foolish policies up the ladder to their origins, from the deputy directors to the director to the board of trustees to the mayors who appoint them, and to the landlords, bankers, real estate developers, and big corporations which the mayors and press putas are inclined to favor for the sake of business, we begin to wonder if they are really morons with over-rated credentials or if they are just negligent. Sometimes I think the Kansas City Library is not being dumbed down but is rather being dumbed up.

The following information is from the Kansas City Public Library's online site:

The Kansas City Public Library system is governed by a nine-member board of trustees. Board members are appointed by the mayors of their respective districts (City of Kansas City, MO; City of Independence, MO; and City of Sugar Creek, MO). The mayor of Kansas City appoints seven members; the mayors of Independence and Sugar Creek appoint one member each. Board members serve four-year terms.

Olivia Dorsey, current Board President, is the Community Affairs Director for a local television affiliate (KMBC-TV, Hearst Corporation). In addition to Dorsey's professional work, she has been a communications instructor for the Full Employment Council and a VISTA volunteer. Dorsey's most recent activities and awards include service to The Coterie Theater, Women's Employment Network and ReStart, Inc. as a Board member. Dorsey was appointed to the Library Board in 1993.

Jonathan Kemper, current Vice President, was appointed to the Library Board in 2001, is Chief Executive Officer of Commerce Bank (Kansas City). Kemper is involved in several community and business organizations in addition to his responsibilities at the Commerce Bank. He is on the Board of: the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Downtown Council, the Community Advisory Board for the Bloch School at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the University of Kansas City, Kansas City Chapter of Young Presidents' Organization, The River Club, Truman Library Institute, the Citizens Association, Tower Properties and the Kansas City Center for Design Education and Research. Kemper is a member of the Civic Council of Greater Kansas City and Co-Chair of the Missouri Lewis & Clark Commission.

David Mayta, current Board Secretary/Treasurer, represents the Independence area of the Kansas City Public Library service district. He was appointed to the Library Board in 1999. Recently retired as a laser technician at Corporate Express, Mayta currently serves as president of People for Animal Welfare Society, Inc. (PAWS) and serves as house manager for the Independence Symphony Board. He also serves on the board of advisors for the Bingham-Waggoner Historical Society and as a community representative for the Powerhouse Theatre Foundation. Mayta has also been selected as a charter member of the newly formed Independence Arts Commission. He volunteers for several organizations in the Independence area, including the Vaile Victorian Society and City Theatre of Independence.

Dr. Eugene Lowry, has served on the Kansas City Public Library Board of Trustees for 10 years and in other leadership capacities (Board President and Vice President). Lowry is the Wm. K. McElvaney Professor of Preaching Emeritus at Saint Paul School of Theology. He is the author of six books on the subject of narrative preaching, and has lectured on the subject in over 40 theological seminaries in North America. He was featured in the Great Preachers series on the Hallmark TV channel in 2001, and is listed in the Who's Who in America, 55th edition, also in 2001.

Dr. Joan Caulfield has served on the Board since February of 2000. She is the President of The Brain Incorporated, a company dedicated to furthering systemic educational reform. Caulfield serves on the Kansas City Board of the National Conference (formerly the National Conference of Christians and Jews), serves on the Executive Board for Sister Cities and is active in Delta Kappa Gamma and in the Greater Kansas City Phi Delta Kappa. She has been named to Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who Among America's Teachers (1996), Who's Who in the Midwest and Who's Who of American Women. Caulfield is also a participant in the Greater Missouri Leadership Program.

Enrique Chaurand Jr. was appointed to the Kansas City Public Library Board of Trustees in 2003. Chaurand serves as a policy analyst and coordinator of Missouri Governor Bob Holden’s Kansas City Office. Prior to joining the Governor’s office, Chaurand founded Vista Communications. Chaurand also served as a member of the White House Communications Staff under the Clinton administration. Chaurand held positions at Fleishman-Hillard, The Kansas City Star and Mesa Tribune in Phoenix, AZ. He received his B.A. in journalism from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University.

Tina L. Harris was appointed to the Board in July 2003 by Mayor Kay Barnes. Harris is an associate attorney at Shook, Hardy & Bacon. Her litigation practice is focused on employment discrimination, harassment and civil rights matters. Harris serves on the Young Lawyer Section Council of The Missouri Bar and is an active member of the American Bar Association and the National Employment Law Council. She also served as an officer of the Jackson County Bar Association. She has conducted numerous community presentations including educational programs focused on diversity training and sexual harassment training. She received her undergraduate degree from DePaul University and her juris doctorate from Northern Illinois University School of Law.

Trudy Jonas was appointed to the Board in 2002 as Sugar Creek's representative. Jonas currently serves as the principal of St. Mary's High School in Independence. Jonas received a Master's in Educational Administration from Benedictine University in 2003 and a Master's in Integrated Humanities and Education from Rockhurst University in 2000. She attended St. Mary's High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Rockhurst. Jonas is a member of the Association of School Curriculum and Development, the National Catholic Education Association and the Diocesan Staff Development Council.