As I wrote a couple of years ago over at "Civic Center," James Chaffee is a monomaniac about the San Francisco public library system, but he also happens to be correct.

I thought both Steve Jones' and Mr. Redmond's replies to him were dismissive and patronizing, and he has every right to be angry with your stance. Just throwing money at something doesn't make it better, particularly when you've got "non-profit crooks" in charge, which Mr. Chaffee has pretty convincingly shown to be the case. Your Yes on D recommendation ranks with your Angela Alioto for Mayor endorsement as one of the Guardian's more pathetic recent efforts. (And I like Angela Alioto.)

I have to agree with the SFMike, James Chaffee, Peter Warfield on the No on Prop D.

The San Francisco library and the Friends have not shown themselves to be trustworthy and their representation that the this ballot measure was the only opportunity to preserve library status quo is suspect. Also it's surprising that the Redmond did not mention the $50M overage (and overdue as confirmed by the recent Controllers audit) of the Branch Library Improvement Program.

This gives more weight to those who express grave concern about the management of this valuable Public Commons.

As a simple matter of fairness the Bay Guardian should have meet with the No on Prop D group before their endorsement decision (remember in debates Pro goes first then Con, much of what the library and Friends alleged was incorrect).

There is still time for the Guardian to change their position and to admit their mistake - in the same way they frequently ask public officials to do, it would also be the honorable path.

If we defunded every public institution that was badly managed or had sunshine problems, we'd have to shut down the entire city. Most of the money here will go to keeping branch libraries open. The solution is not to defund the branch libraries but to get better management in place.

I just got a letter from the president of the Library Commssion, which I will run in the paper this week, but I thought I'd also post it here to foster further debate (I don't at all agree with his sunshine points at the end, and I suspect many of you won't either). Have at it, folks:

The case for Prop D

I would like to acknowledge the SFBG for their wisdom in endorsing the San Francisco Public Library system and Proposition D. The branch libraries and the main library are significant in the lives of so many residents that it would indeed be irresponsible to oppose a certain stream of funding that ensures the much-needed delivery of materials, programs and services. I do take issue with the continuing perception that the Friends of the SFPL somehow influence the affairs of the PL to the detriment of library users. The Friends are exactly as their name suggests – friends. More to the point, they are an accomplished fundraiser for the library and a trustworthy fiscal agent for supplemental funding. Their members are supporters of the library and representative of the spectrum of all library users. Never in my 12 years as a commissioner, the last nine as president, has the group sought to inappropriately influence the library’s conduct. The sum of money that the Friends provide each year to enable library programs is roughly one percent of our total operating budget. It is ludicrous to imagine that we would be swayed by this sum of money to work against our proven commitment to library users and the taxpayers of San Francisco. In regard to transparency, we are exceptional in our conformance to the Sunshine Ordinance - even in the face of often unrelenting and considerable requests that cause library staff to drop all else and attend to the demand. Certain matters require broach aspects of personnel and privacy rights that oblige us to seek legal counsel. In these instances, the city attorney directs us to respond in a particular way and we are compelled to comply; such compliance may disappoint, but there are avenues available for those who wish to pursue the matter further.

Charles A. Higueras, president
San Francisco Public Library Commission

Mr. Higueras seems to think that a city attorney opinion is a 'Get Out of Jail Free' card. In fact, the Sunshine Taskforce is given the responsibility to advise the city on Sunshine matters and they have repeatedly found the library in violation.

In fact, now the library is being sued by the Thomas Burke/DWT the firm that has often represented the Bay Guardian and who assisted in the Prop G rewrite of the Sunshine Ordinance.

Unfortunately Higueras' position (while he signs it as President of the Library Commission- was he authorized by that body to send this?) shows that the library will continue to obstruct access to information even though the Sunshine ordinance clearly states that the work of responding to public records requests is part of the normal job duties of all city employees.

While the library refuses to reform, the Bay Guardian does not have to be so delusional, it can still correct their endorsement decision.

Early in the exchange there was an implication that I would be treated fairly. The amazing part is that I fell for it one more time.

San Francisco Bay Guardian is to be praised for seeing the truth and endorsing Proposition D (Library Preservation Fund), which is truly necessary to preserve our library. We are officers of the Librarians' Guild, SEIU Local 1021, and would like to clarify some of the statements made in your editorial.

The current Library Administration is a breath of fresh ethical air, and
has been long awaited. Yes, previous administrations made some highly questionable choices, at best. We worked hard to keep the public in the public library, to bring about positive change, and to bring much needed reform to this beloved institution. We believe in free and equal access for all. We've come a long way toward library heaven. Our current administration has tried their very best to ensure honest, ethical, respectful management, working with the library staff, unions, and the public. We are honored to work for the people of San Francisco!

The Friends of the Library do not operate the San Francisco Public
Library, nor do they manage the operations or budget of the public library. They contribute monies for the benefit of the library, over and above the library's budget (in the form of donations for books, special
projects, support of programs and exhibitions, etc.). But they have
nothing to do with the daily operations, or budget of the SFPL system.

Respectfully,
Catherine M. Bremer
Andrea V. Grimes
Melissa Riley
Officers, Librarians' Guild
SEIU, Local 1021
(formerly Local 790)

Ok, who has read the recent Controller's report on mismanagement at the library?

"San Francisco Public Library and Department of Public Works: Strengthened Program Management Required for Branch Library Improvement Program to Avoid Further Budget Increases"

http://co.sfgov.org/webreports/details.aspx?id=640