Saturday, June 14, 2008

Librarian leaves a million to Columbus libraries

Carol Sue Snowden, 57, a Whitehall librarian, died of ovarian cancer. Friends, co-workers and family were stunned to find out she left over half a million dollars to the Whitehall branch of Columbus Metropolitan Library, and $70,000 each to seven local school libraries. How did a woman who is in one of the historically lowest paid professions that requires a college education ever accumulate that amount? Thrift. Investments. Works every time. On her salary, she must have been invested in health care and energy funds. But imagine being that smart about money in a profession that is 223:1 liberal to conservative?

With a master's degree and 3 or 4 years experience, a librarian MIGHT be able to land a job for $30,000 a year, and have to work a few nights and week-ends. But if she's really smart, she'll consistently save and invest, and leave her liberal buddies in the dust to complain that they are unappreciated.

Neil Cavuto, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck and other radio talkers will tell you that there is still great opportunity in a capitalist system, but there is someone coming down the the political pike who will try to stop that message. Get them off the air because they don't buy the line that you are helpless and hopeless without some new piece of pork fat riddled government program. Barry, Harry and Nancy will work hard to get that "fairness" doctrine out there to shut them up.

Incidentally, this is called a "windfall," because the Columbus library system did absolutely nothing to acquire this. Unlike the oil companies, who do the heavy lifting so you can fill up your SUV this week-end and therefore don't have "windfalls." Because I was twice the recipient of a "windfall" from two retired veterinarians when I was at Ohio State (Dr. Segall, Dr. Hodeson), I want to assure the people of Whitehall and those seven schools that they will most likely never see any change in their collection or services, despite the windfall of a million dollars. No, it just wouldn't be fair, and besides the administrative costs will eat up a huge portion of it. Her donation is designated 90% for print, which means some other library will get what would have gone to Whitehall anyway. Also, without money designated for staff in purchasing, processing, preserving and shelving (all of whom must be paid a living wage plus benefits), the major cost of putting a book out there, plus building maintenance and utilities, book funds don't go far. And with scanned e-books, I'm sure there's a clever way to get around that wording.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I thought it was really a testament to how involved she was in a community where she worked all of her life. No politics-- this was a woman dedicated to her profession and to the community where she worked and poured out her heart and soul.

You are right that librarians don't go into the field for the money. It is a calling to help children and parents improve their lives.

I believe with all my heart that the money really will be used as she designated-- to renovate the children's and teen sections for Whitehall. A ray of sunshine in an area that doesn't get much.

Anonymous said...

Not sure what liberal versus conservative has to do with saving money. I wouldn't call GWB responsible with money-- every bit as bad about putting us into debt as anything the dems could come up with. And at least we might get health care from the dems rather than a country we broke and then had to buy.

Norma said...

If you don't understand how the environmentalists, unions, and anti-business congress drive companies out of the country, then reading this blog won't help. But for people who invest, like this librarian of limited means, you can only hope for some smart CEOs who work around the people who want to destroy capitalism.