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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe National Conference of African American Librarians has decided not to hold its annual convention in Indianapolis this year after one of its leaders was passed over for the job of CEO at the Indianapolis Public Library.
A press release issued Friday by the conference said it decided not to hold its convention in Indianapolis because it is an “inhospitable” location. The convention had been scheduled for July 11-16 at the Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites.
Nichelle Hayes, listed as conference vice president on the organization’s website, was the Indianapolis library’s interim CEO and a finalist for the permanent position. The library board last month offered the permanent CEO post to the other finalist, prompting protests from community members who favored Hayes.
Gabriel Morley, who is white and the former leader of the New Orleans library, declined the job, and the library board opted to re-start its search rather than offer the job to Hayes.
Despite calls Thursday from a majority of the Indianapolis City-County Council for the library to hire Hayes, several library board members issued a statement defending their decision, saying it was incorrect to assume that Hayes is qualified because she was interim CEO, or that her status as a finalist meant the majority of the library board believed she was qualified to be CEO.
In its statement, the National Conference of African American Librarians never mentions Hayes by name but makes reference to the library board’s decisions.
“The actions of the Indianapolis Public Library Board are a reflection of what happens within our profession, where hardworking, talented and qualified people are used to clean up messes, fix problems, and to just be seen enough that a diversity goal is ticked without any substantive change,” the organization’s conference committee said in a written statement. “When entities believe you are not “the person” they create imaginary barriers designed to stop progress [for] both the professional, and the profession. Our members deserve better.”
Hayes became interim CEO after former CEO Jackie Nytes resigned amid allegations that she contributed to racism and a toxic work environment. Nytes denied those allegations.
As for this year’s National Conference of African American Librarians, the organization’s press release doesn’t specify whether the event will be held in another city or has been canceled. It said the 2024 convention will be in New Orleans.
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Equality is never good enough for those who seek special treatment.
And people who’ve never had to deal with the realities of inequality are more likely to agree with you.
What is the special treatment? The statement from the library board does not make sense. If Ms Hayes were not believed [by some board members] to be qualified, then why was she advanced to a finalist. Also, if Ms Hayes is believed not to be qualified, why is she continuing to serve as interim CEO.
Certainly, a qualified candidate must be selected. And that selection process should be fair, equitable, comprehensive and unbiased.
The library board should be transparent and clearly state why a candidate would or would not advance vis-à-vis qualifications. The selected candidate from New Orleans recognized dysfunctional library board actions and chose not to accept the position.
Perhaps the library board deserves careful review and a change in membership coupled with board policy and procedure updates.
I don’t know anything about Ms. Hayes or her qualifications, but it seems to me that the members of the board, of all people, would know better than anyone if she was the best candidate. And Derek, what about the library’s statement doesn’t make sense to you? It didn’t say that no board members found her qualified, only that it shouldn’t be assumed that all members did. It isn’t at all uncommon for someone serving in an interim capacity to be passed over for the permanent position. It happens all the time, particularly in sports. Interim positions are typically filled out of urgency, allowing time for a more thorough vetting process. While I appreciate the passion of those advocating on behalf of Ms. Hayes, I’m going to assume that most of them know very little about what is required to be a successful CEO of a major public library system and they shouldn’t be allowed to hijack the process. The motives of the board would be easier to question if, perhaps, it was a group of middle aged white men, but that isn’t the case here. The board is a diverse bunch and the decision hasn’t been made along any clearly defined racial lines with African American members among those who have deemed Ms. Hayes to NOT be the person for the job.
“The motives of the board would be easier to question if, perhaps, it was a group of middle aged white men, but that isn’t the case here.”
what a racist statement!
The country is growing tired of people making hiring / promotion decisions on the basis of skin color, identity, gender, etc.
The best, most competent people need to be given the jobs with the greatest responsibility. It should go without saying, skin color has nothing to do with that.
Marshall, thank you for your response. I am not advocating for Ms. Hayes, per se, but I simply question the process of the board followed and how each candidate may or may not have fit the requirements. I do note that some, not all, board members felt she was not qualified for the long-term leadership position.
I do not dispute that the most qualified candidate should be hired. Further, my comment is not intended to reflect any racial bias or preference, but only to question the process, regardless of library board composition.
Many in interim positions have been passed over in many fields. In more than a few cases, interim candidates have been and proven the best for the position. Again, from the transparency standpoint, the board could provide a bit more background given that this selection process has become, for some, a contentious issue.
It does seem that the board should withdraw a candidate who would not garner support. Perhaps unqualified is not the appropriate term — the board should continue to seek the candidate with the best qualifications based on board selection criteria.
All agree that the most qualified individual should be selected. And all are agree that hiring and promotions should be based on qualifications for specific responsibilities. Men should not be favored over women, one race should not be favored over another. However, the selection process is nuanced and assessing overall qualifications includes subjective evaluations which without clear criteria and transparency can lead to questions. The lofty objective is to eliminate hiring/promotion bias; the reality is to seek to minimize bias to the greatest extent possible.
@Derek – would you question the board’s process if Ms Hayes were hired knowing that some members felt she was not qualified and then failed as CEO? There is a lot that cannot be said to the public due to confidentiality. Would you prefer the board publicly air any shortcomings they felt she had? That would not be good for anyone. If it were an all-white board making the decision I would have questions. Since the board is diverse, I have to trust their decision. Let them do their job.
Those who scream for tolerance are the least tolerant of all when they don’t get their way.
A very diverse board must be racist is the conclusion a hyper liberal mob has come to.
Best candidate obviously is not Ms. Hayes.
And who knew there was a group called NCAAL…
Do librarians really try to segregate the country also?
JCB
Yeah, it’s a crazy world when still have a black librarian’s association still in
existence. Sounds like they are racial to their core.
It’s time to dismantle these organizations and associations that are based on
race. They have out lived their usefulness.
Where is the National Conference of Caucasian Librarians going to hold its annual convention?
Just asking for a friend…
Marshall P.
It’s racist to be against racism??? Lol…..
Keith, if all things are racist, then nothing is racist!
All I know is there are 10 hotel rooms they can put back into the system for that week.