East Siders Want to Un-Shelf Librarian

You might have seen the pickets or read the articles in the paper. East Siders are incensed over the firing of the Rochambeau Community Library's well-loved head librarian, Tom O'Donnell. At a meeting on Monday, March 4, the library's community room was packed with residents urging that the library re-hire O'Donnell.

Author Ryder Windam, organizer of the "Friends of Tom O'Donnell" protest movement (and Facebook page), explained that Tom had been out of the building at an early morning meeting on February 15 when library officials came into his office and took his computer. When he returned to Rochambeau, he was told he had been let go. "It's probably legal," said Gil Mason, long-time Friends of Rochambeau Board Member. "But it's one hell of a way to do business at this library."

The reaction to an email and letter circulated by former Rep. Linda Kushner was greeted with dismay. Her assertion that the decision to fire O'Donnell, "was reasoned and made with the best interest of PCL and the Rochambeau library in mind. " set off alarm bells in readers. Was O'Donnell going to get a fair shake?

As the evening went on and segued into the monthly Friends meeting, one after another people spoke on Tom's behalf.

He led a reading group for teens… He programed myriad free arts and cultural events at the library… He worked closely with volunteers… He even read stories to the preschoolers.

The firing was so poorly done that, as Windham pointed out, the next day remaining librarians didn't have the combination to the safe to make change for fines. Even the reservation of the room for the protest was a mystery, because Tom had taken care of that, too.

"Tom hasn't put us up to being here at all," Windham said. "We think he's entitled to his job back."

In addition to the picketing, Friends of Tom is urging concerned residents to contact the Mayor's office's Maria Radcliffe (mradcliffe@providenceri.com or 421-2489). There is also an online petition. For the most up to date information, visit the Facebook page.

Mark Binder is an author, storyteller and a Friend of Tom. He is the former vice president of the Friends of Rochambeau Library.