CAKES and cuppas and good-luck wishes couldn’t overcome the sadness shared by Wodonga library staff and dozens of their clients yesterday.
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At last some of the seven made redundant in an almost clean sweep of the staff could speak out.
Library co-ordinator Dianne Whittaker was one who didn’t score a job when the council made new appointments.
“We are devastated,’’ Mrs Whittaker said.
“I’ve been here 18 years, starting as a mobile library driver, and have been co-ordinator for 12 years.
“But Allison Smyth has been here 33 years and Sandy Blake almost as long as a casual and for the past six months as a permanent.
“The others all have been here more than five years.
“Only Leanne Boyd is staying on, but has been appointed for three days instead of five.’’
“We’ve seen the library developing into a wonderful community space.’’
“It’s heartening to know we are respected by the community.’’
Mrs Whittaker said staff could have been transferred from the Upper Murray Regional Library to the council without the process that had happened.
“We were left out of it and didn’t have the ability to prove ourselves,’’ she said.
“Communication between the regional library and the council was very poor — sending emails isn’t communication.’’
Mrs Smyth, the only staff member who didn’t reapply for a job, said that she hopes to find a job in another library
The Friends of Wodonga Library gave the outgoing staff a dinner last week and yesterday put on teas for staff and borrowers, including people with disabilities from the Murray Valley Centre.
Wodonga Family History Society president Heather Lauritzen said her members were saddened by the loss of an invaluable staff and secretary Wendy Cooksey said the changes were clearly a council management decision.
Mrs Smyth had the last word among the bookshelves: “It’s been a fun job. I loved it.’’
