Mr. Bernstein, give your evil pen a rest

This letter is in response to "The public has the right to know," in Norman Bernstein's column "Consider This," published in the Havre Daily News Wednesday, May 15, on page A4.

What the public has a right to know is that the library is under very capable management. I respond in defense of the library and library board. I do not have any official position and no one has asked me to write this letter to the editor.

Mr. Bernstein no longer lives in our community. Therefore he should not be judging decisions made in our community or decisions made by community members who volunteer to serve on our boards.

The Havre-Hill County Library is the same great place it has always been. Inviting and pleasant. To quote Rachel Rawn, acting library director: "hope to see you all soon." The library is a place for learning at any age, a place to gather, a place to catch-up with the latest news in print editions of local newspapers and magazines, a place for civic meetings, a place to find a good book, a place to connect to the Internet through the library's computers or through wi-fi, a place to read and study quietly and a place for children programs.

In Bernstein's article he mentioned many accomplishments I made while I was library director. Yes, the Havre-Hill County Library and I were able to accomplish many things during my tenure. I appreciate being recognized, but this all happened because I was fortunate to live and work in a great community full of wonderful people. The library board members and staff that I worked with were and still are hard working and devoted. Mr. Bernstein, nothing has changed, the Havre-Hill County Library is still a community treasure.

Briefly, as a member of the public, this is what I know — and I do not feel information has been hidden from me or the public: It is a fact; personnel records are kept confidential. The Havre-Hill County Library Board opened a search for a library director after they accepted my letter to retire. The next step was to write and accept a position description for a new library director. During a budget meeting the Havre-Hill County Library Board voted unanimously to set the salary for the new library director at $32,000, with a one-year probation period. The reason for probation periods are things do not always go as planned. Applicants were interviewed and references were checked.

Betty Thompson was hired and started the position as library director July 1, 2012. The library board held closed meetings for discussion to move forward. With full board present, probationary period rules were followed No crimes were committed and everyone agonized over every decision. Betty Thompson remains a personal friend and a respected member of our community.

The Havre-Hill County Library Board asked Rachel Rawn, who started at the Havre-Hill County Library March 1, 2011, as assistant library director/youth services librarian, to act as library director March 26, 2013, until further decision are made.

I agree with the letter to the editor printed in the Friday, May 17 2013 edition of the Havre Daily News page A4 written by Rosalind Chedotol, Katy, Texas. Mr. Bernstein does not always get his facts right, but he certainly knows how to stir up trouble. Mr. Bernstein give your evil pen a rest.

(Bonnie Williamson lives in Havre. She is the retired director of the Havre-Hill County Library.)