Oak Park Public Library’s board of trustees are working to distribute an anonymous staff survey through a third-party vendor to ensure all employees can safely share concerns.
The seven-member board heard an earful of concerns from community members and current and former employees — as well as some comments in support of leadership — at a packed special meeting Thursday night.
The move to create an anonymous survey comes as the board is evaluating Exective Director Joslyn Bowling Dixon’s first full year. Dixon and her leadership team have taken heat from the community over how a Palestinian culture event was handled, the elimination of two community engagement staff positions, and now, their response to the backlash.
The library’s board of trustees and Dixon both have since issued public apologies.
But it wasn’t enough, according to former staff and public commenters at the special meeting.
“The apology from the library leadership does not feel genuine,” former restorative practices coordinator Tatiana Swancy said. “As far as I know, Joslyn, and no one else from the library, has attempted to reach out to any of the community members.”
Several commenters expressed their frustration about the library’s “fact-checker” page — Dixon’s public attempt to calm the situation — saying that it does not accurately address the situation and asking for it to be removed.
“It uses the library logo, name and credibility to reframe genuine concerns from community members and library staff regarding library leadership,” one commenter said. “This is unprofessional, it is unethical and it is unacceptable.”
For example, the “fact-checker” states it is false that there is a culture of fear among staff at the library caused by Dixon. Swancy said it’s “outrageous” for the library to say what the culture in the library is. Based on her experience, she said, there is a culture of fear among some library staff.
“It appears that our library head is unaware of one of the most obvious elements of media literacy: fact versus opinion,” another commenter said.
Oak Park resident Susan Lucci said she deeply loves the library, but the library’s antiracism plan has not been followed.
“We may call ourselves a book sanctuary, but I wonder whether we are providing sanctuary for human beings to work and to gather,” Lucci said.
Some commenters asked for Dixon to be placed on administrative leave or for her resignation.
Dixon did not respond immediately to a request for comment.
Roughly 20 individuals submitted comments or spoke at the meeting. Some comments included support for the library’s leadership and for Dixon.
Jennifer Norborg, the library’s children’s services manager, said she spoke on behalf of herself and two other staff members. She said she supports Dixon and believed the executive director has improved staff morale, led with grace, ensured the financial wellbeing of the library and strengthened community ties.
“We are united in our belief that despite some claims, the majority of library staff are not miserable all or even most of the time,” Norborg said.
Dixon has been a transparent director, Norborg added, but since harm was done, meaningful repair will take time on both sides. She said there is a “vocal minority who have disparaged” Dixon but that she looks forward to her continued leadership.
“We feel that Joslyn is the best director this library has had,” Norborg said.
Swancy said while it was Norborg’s right to share her opinion, she was disappointed that some staff were criticizing the response of those who felt they had been discriminated against.
“All those voices should be heard in a way that is safe,” Swancy said.
In a written comment, a former OPPL employee said Dixon has been “slandered repeatedly” and recent community actions are “silencing a Black woman leader.”
Another written commenter said while people were hurt by recent events, the situation allowed for Dixon, a Black woman, to be criticized for every “unpopular” decision.
Swancy said she understands why that’s a concern, but she is also a Black woman. Many people of color have been targeted, not just those in positions of leadership, she said. For instance, Swancy said the library is blaming Juanta Griffin, the library’s multicultural learning coordinator, for any confusion about the Palestinian culture event.
“The community members impacted do not feel confused,” Swancy said. “They feel that Juanta and the community engagement team treated them well, treating it [the Palestinian culture event] as a collaboration.”
During the library board’s discussion about potential vendors for a new anonymous staff survey, the board agreed it would be best for staff feedback to come directly to the board.
Friends of the OPPL board liaison Kristina Rogers said she doesn’t want anyone to be targeted for speaking their mind. The staff needs to be able to trust that the survey is anonymous, board secretary Susanne Fairfax agreed, because without that trust, the board will only get inaccurate information.
Library board president Matthew Fruth said the board needs to have a realistic expectation of staff responses, because not everyone responds to a survey. Others agreed, but said they need to do their best to get accurate information.
The board plans to compile further questions for the potential vendors before choosing one at their regular March 26 meeting. After that, they plan to move quickly to distribute the survey, but it will likely take several weeks for the vendor to gather responses, compile data and create a report.
Swancy said she appreciated that the board is taking time to make the right decision, and hoped that staff members feel they can share honestly. In the past, staff have worried other surveys weren’t anonymous, Swancy said.
“[We need to make] sure that whomever we choose, everyone in the library has equitable chance to be able to contribute,” library board vice president Virginia Bloom said.