Athenaeum News.
May. 28th, 2003 06:00 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ambitious_wenchSusan Kertzer: Don't let a tiny cabal destroy the Athenaeum
05/28/2003
AS PRESIDENT of the board of directors of the Providence Athenaeum, I write in response to the May 26 column by James Baar ("A real-world rescue for the Athenaeum"), criticizing current and prior boards for their management of the finances of the Athenaeum.
As is clear from reading the pages of this newspaper, we are not the only institution suffering financial difficulties. The state, the city and most recently the Providence Public Library system have also reported problems meeting their budgets.
Because we, like other membership libraries, are heavily dependent on our endowment, the decline of the stock market has severely affected our ability to meet our operating expenses while maintaining a sustainable draw.
The board of directors takes its stewardship responsibilities under the laws of Rhode Island and under our bylaws very seriously. Before deciding to sell our double elephant folio of John J. Audubon's Birds of America, we engaged in a protracted and intense decision-making process. This included discussions of the library's mission and historical legacy, a review of personnel and programming decisions in the 1990s that were necessary to bring the library into the 20th Century, and an in-depth review of our financial situation.
In our discussions about how to meet our budget, virtually every possibility was considered, and in the debate that has ensued since we announced the sale, we have not heard a single argument or alternative suggested that was not raised first by a member of the board. The board is committed to fiscal responsibility, and the budgeted endowment draw for this year is more than 20 percent lower than it was for fiscal 2002.
The Audubon sale is the last resort for our beloved library. The alternative would be to cut expenses to such an extent that the essence of the institution would be destroyed. If we drastically cut hours and the book budget, discontinued cultural programming, eliminated the children's library, and ceased all community outreach, Providence would continue to have two Audubon folios but the Athenaeum would cease to fulfill its 250-year mission as a leading cultural institution in this city and state, betraying the intent of the founders.
During the past three months, in a variety of publications and forums, the board and executive director of the Providence Athenaeum, Jonathan Bengtson, have thoroughly explained the library's financial situation and its very difficult decision to sell the Audubon folio. We have received overwhelming support from our membership.
It is clear, however, that a few members remain unhappy. Unfortunately, the Athenaeum staff and board have had to devote much time, energy and financial resources to responding to the criticisms of this small but vocal minority. It is time now that we all move forward, turning our full attention and energy to the library's current operations and future needs, so that the Athenaeum can continue to be an institution of vitality and quality in Providence for the next 250 years.
Susan Kertzer is president of the board of directors of the Providence Athenaeum.
Online at: http://www.projo.com/opinion/contributors/content/projo_20030528_28ctath.3deea.html
05/28/2003
AS PRESIDENT of the board of directors of the Providence Athenaeum, I write in response to the May 26 column by James Baar ("A real-world rescue for the Athenaeum"), criticizing current and prior boards for their management of the finances of the Athenaeum.
As is clear from reading the pages of this newspaper, we are not the only institution suffering financial difficulties. The state, the city and most recently the Providence Public Library system have also reported problems meeting their budgets.
Because we, like other membership libraries, are heavily dependent on our endowment, the decline of the stock market has severely affected our ability to meet our operating expenses while maintaining a sustainable draw.
The board of directors takes its stewardship responsibilities under the laws of Rhode Island and under our bylaws very seriously. Before deciding to sell our double elephant folio of John J. Audubon's Birds of America, we engaged in a protracted and intense decision-making process. This included discussions of the library's mission and historical legacy, a review of personnel and programming decisions in the 1990s that were necessary to bring the library into the 20th Century, and an in-depth review of our financial situation.
In our discussions about how to meet our budget, virtually every possibility was considered, and in the debate that has ensued since we announced the sale, we have not heard a single argument or alternative suggested that was not raised first by a member of the board. The board is committed to fiscal responsibility, and the budgeted endowment draw for this year is more than 20 percent lower than it was for fiscal 2002.
The Audubon sale is the last resort for our beloved library. The alternative would be to cut expenses to such an extent that the essence of the institution would be destroyed. If we drastically cut hours and the book budget, discontinued cultural programming, eliminated the children's library, and ceased all community outreach, Providence would continue to have two Audubon folios but the Athenaeum would cease to fulfill its 250-year mission as a leading cultural institution in this city and state, betraying the intent of the founders.
During the past three months, in a variety of publications and forums, the board and executive director of the Providence Athenaeum, Jonathan Bengtson, have thoroughly explained the library's financial situation and its very difficult decision to sell the Audubon folio. We have received overwhelming support from our membership.
It is clear, however, that a few members remain unhappy. Unfortunately, the Athenaeum staff and board have had to devote much time, energy and financial resources to responding to the criticisms of this small but vocal minority. It is time now that we all move forward, turning our full attention and energy to the library's current operations and future needs, so that the Athenaeum can continue to be an institution of vitality and quality in Providence for the next 250 years.
Susan Kertzer is president of the board of directors of the Providence Athenaeum.
Online at: http://www.projo.com/opinion/contributors/content/projo_20030528_28ctath.3deea.html