Guard Shortages Subject Philly Branches to Periodic Closings
Hirings delayed because of civil service error
Lynn Blumenstein -- Library Journal, 04/06/2010
- One guard needed in each branch
- Several unannounced closures daily
- Full staff may be achieved mid-April
A civil service snafu causing a delay in hiring security guards has led to periodic branch closures at the Free Library of Philadelphia (FLP). Because FLP now requires four workers (including one guard) to open a branch (a report that there was an earlier required minimum of three is incorrect), the lack of sufficient guards has caused the closures.
"The administrative snafu was unfortunate," FLP director Siobhan Riordan told LJ. The situation should be resolved by mid April, she said.
Web site details closures
A visit to FLP’s web site on March 19 showed eight out of nine branches closed without an explanation other "due to staff shortages and building emergencies." On March 24, seven were closed for the same reason, along with one open for only four hours.
As of today, April 6, 11 branches were closed for the day or had truncated hours, including one closed for excessive heat.
Civil service hiring rules not followed
The approval to hire ten new municipal guards was granted last November, to go into effect in February, according to an account in the Philadelphia Inquirer, which Reardon characterized as accurate.
The delay in hiring guards occurred because although FLP had already interviewed and hired ten new guards, some of whom started working, the city realized that civil-service hiring procedures had not been followed. They mandate that individuals at the top of hiring lists be offered new positions first. The hiring process had to begin anew.
