(Now updated at this permalink.)
Well, Fine! Or really it’s about the lack of fines…
South Boston Library Manager’s Resignation Stirs Controversy
It’s about time that Halifax County got in the news for a stupid-ass decision. We all know that (Library Director) Rhonda Griffin can’t comment since it is a personnel matter… but I’m not bound by that restriction. Woodson Hughes was pretty much the “face” of the South Boston Library and even if he did fail to charge overdue book fees, he should have been yelled at and warned to never do it again. Hughes was a kind, gentle guy who was the perfect librarian and the man who, if he didn’t have the answer for you, knew just where to get it. Woodson Hughes deserves his job back.
Is there something more to this story? Not that I can find out so far. Hughes has not returned two phone calls to his house and his only statement was the “high road” one quoted in the GV article. Anyway… it’s time to make the Library Board aware. I strongly urge everybody to call the members of the Library Board and tell them that you strongly disagree with this “personnel decision” and urge them to put pressure on Rhonda Griffin to rethink her decision. I’ll be making some calls tomorrow.
Who’s on the Library Board?
The library board is composed of 11 members, with eight appointed by county supervisors and three appointed by South Boston Town Council. Current members are board chairman Lisa Crews, Meredith Bowman, Dr. Charles Parker, Jewel Giles, Mickey Thomas, Heidi Dawson, Joan Hines, Valdivia Marshall, Tommy Reagan, Barbara Speece and Shirley McCaleb.
Woodson Hughes deserves better than this crappy decision. Let’s try and help him out.
UPDATE #1: I just spoke with Woodson Hughes and now I’m more determined than ever to get this word out. According to Hughes, Rhonda Griffin appeared in his office on Tuesday and delivered the news. The Library Board had met the previous night and he’s assuming that’s when they discussed his “order to resign”.
I have also found out through sources that the standard Halifax County Library associates have been asked to have almost no contact with the members of the Library Board. This unofficial order originated with Paul Johnson, the previous director and has been unofficially continued by Rhonda Griffin. How bizarre.
He has always been a very kind man. He has gone out of his way in times past helping me to find books from other locations. There are series that I like to read and sometimes our library is missing certain books. He has always searched them down, found them and transferred them here. All of this was done with a simple smile. He is also awesome at helping me pick out new authors. Just the perfect guy for the library. This decision is a tremendous loss. What did it hurt the library to waive fees? We’re talking about a max of $2 here…
Woodson is the perfect mild librarian, and there probably isn’t a more knowledgeable person in Halifax County. His dismissal is very unfortunate and the library will not be the same without him.
I have known Woodson since childhood and I have never once known him to do anything dishonest. He comes from a fine family and has the values we need in our public service positions.
Hypothetically, what if he was told that he needed to start enforcing the fees and repeatedly did not?
Good question. However, we can’t assume any of the details. Are you saying that waiving nickel fees would be justification for ending a 25 year career? I’m sure that had he been “warned”, he probably would have asked himself that question…
I’m a student at Washington and Lee U. in Lexington – our library fines are payable by canned goods which are then donated to a local food bank. It seems that if Mr. Hughes had instituted a program like that, there wouldn’t have been any trouble. He wouldn’t have had to awkwardly charge people fines (because, let’s face it, telling people that they owe you a quarter is awkward) and hungry people get food. Win-win situation.
Boy oh boy, I am from Danville and we have lots of this sort of thing, city people stabbing people in the back who have worked hard for years. All this sounds suspicious and seems to bleed “Personal Agenda” if you ask me.
MAN THAT IS Fd UP. i worked for woodson for over 3 years, i have known him since i was knee high to a grasshopper. and you know what the new director can go hug a tree. when i worked there i waived fines and alot more, nobody fired me. AND you know what if this new director reads this she can call me at 4796855317 and get a real peice of my mind. SOMEBODY put my name on that petition.
Mr. Hughes did not have the authority to decide the form of the fine payment; the library director (and maybe the Library Board as well, not sure) would have to do this. I bet he would have loved the idea, though.