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-Exhibit: Day to day free expression at our cities' public libraries -Case example: Boston Public Library
Boston Public Library
Interoffice Memorandum
To: All Staff
From: Bernard A. Margolis, President
Date: January 25, 2001
Re: Observations
We who work in the Library profession are strongly
committed to freedom of expression and access to
information.
Respecting everyone's right to speak,
to formulate opinions and to share them, and having a
workplace that is tolerant of different points of
view, is important to all of us.
However, in expressing these differing points of view
it is important that we focus on issues, and not
people, and that we strive for accurate, positive, and
constructive communications.
It is incumbent on all of us to make every effort to
find forums for discourse that are candid, yet
thoughtful and respectful.
We are in the midst of significant change in the world
around us, in our profession, in our own institution,
and in our lives.
Many of our patrons are expecting different things
from us; as library staff we are seeking paths to
respond to and incorporate new demands, new tools, and
new cultural expectations.
The vision of a great library can only be a vision
that includes everyone pulling in the same direction,
respecting one another and respecting those we serve.
There is no room for harsh words and personal
criticisms as we endeavor to make the Library a great
place for everyone to work and an institution that
makes a meaningful and effective contribution to the
world we serve.
The recent back and forth about the Library's
logo/brand, slogan and public awareness campaign
serves as an example of when discussion such as this
could have contributed positively to an improved and
enhanced product and to a broader understanding about
how the logo came to be, had the focus been around the
product.
In fact, some helpful suggestions, such as color
suitability for copying and readability on the
billboards, are being worked on currently.
P.A. d'Arbeloff [ padarbeloff@bpl.org ] and the entire
Communications staff created a process that was open
and inviting to everyone and which reflected the
highest standards of professional competence and
professional conduct
Their creation of the new logo/slogan and the public
awareness campaign was not conducted in a vacuum.
The pro bono (free) services of a distinguished public
relations firm, Arnold Communications, brought a high
level of professional public relations skills to us.
[ http://www.arn.com ]
Outside focus groups, internal focus groups and
All Staff Memo 2
January 25, 2001
a lengthy creative process involving lots of
discussion with lots of people produced the logo which
we are now using.
Just as the previous "logos" used by the Library did
not have universal acceptance, this one will not
either.
However, it is the result of a thoughtful and
deliberate effort executed by our Communications
staff, as well as outside professionals.
The proof of its success will be in how we put it into
play and how our public responds to its various
applications.
Anyone is entitled to say they don't like the logo, the
slogan, the television ads, or the billboards.
I don't believe, however, that any criticism of
the staff involved in creating and executing it
is either warranted or appropriate.
In the months ahead, there will be many other changes--
a new look to the Library web page, a new book
security system, a new integrated library system, new
physical arrangements as we prepare for additional
renovation and to address additional strategic goals.
I encourage a thoughtful process of sharing ideas and
improvements that will benefit the Library.
Please, in dispatching the important opportunities to
participate in influencing and impacting the Library's
future, be thoughtful of what you say, of how you say
it, and to whom you say it.
Be respectful of the hard work done by others, of
their skills and their experience, and of their desire
to do the best job.
We want everyone's work to reflect positively on all
of us.
Let's all pull together.
BAM/eh
[ Bernard A. Margolis, President/
Eulene Harris, Executive Assistant ]
[ bmargolis@bpl.org ]
Boston Public Library
BPL
[ logo http://www.bpl.org/newindex.html ]
Copley Square
700 Boylston Street Boston Massachusetts 02116
T 617.536.5400
http://www.bpl.org
April 11, 2001
The Library is in receipt of a copy of your request
"Observations of President Margolis"
received via email to William Grealish [Curator of
the Humanities Department Reference Desk]
on April 9, 2001 and forwarded to me for response.
Enclosed is a copy of the item as requested.
Sincerely yours,
Ruth E. Kowal
Director of Operations
[ rkowal@bpl.org ]
cc: Stacey Bloom, Assistant Corporation Counsel,
City of Boston
[ mayor@ci.boston.ma.us ]
Books are just the beginning.
_________________________________________________________
Guide to Problematical Library Use
http://GuideToProblematicalLibraryUse.WebLogs.com/stories
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