Librarian wears 2 hats

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

Meza said she will also be examining ways to streamline and standardize policies between both libraries, cheap Famous hatsbut otherwise she has no intention of reinventing the wheel.

"I think it's important for kids to have access and programs at the library," Meza commented. "I don't think we want a generation of kids that are not familiar with library services."

In addition to Meza's contract, the council approved the hiring of a part-time children's librarian,wholesale Famous hatsand Meza said she hopes to fill the position quickly.

Meza said that while she does not plan any dramatic changes, she is already working to restore the children's program in Willows.

Meza said she anticipates a smooth transition. She spent her first day in the Willows office on Thursday.

"I see a lot of potential and many, many positive aspects for (combining the libraries)," Meza said. "It is somewhat experimental, but most library systems in the state are county run, so we're actually just getting more in line with (the industry standard)."

Meza, however, said she was eager for the opportunity.

Meza took over Orland's library in May 2009 following the retirement of longtime Director Marilyn Cochran. It was Cochran's reluctance to take on the additional responsibilities of the Willows job that prevented the cities from combining in the past.

While the move could signal the beginning of big changes in local government, specific changes for joint library programming are relatively minor, but, at least in Willows, fairly significant.

The new contract expires June 30 each year and is automatically renewable. However, either city can back out of the deal with written 30-day notice, authorities said.

Meza said she plans to split her time between Willows and Orland as much as possible.

The cities agreed to split the cost of Meza's contract in half after agreeing to give her a $10,000 raise for the increased responsibilities. Meza's base salary is now about $66,000, plus benefits. Willows also agreed to give her a monthly gas stipend of $200, as the job also involves responsibilities in Bayliss and Elk Creek.

Meza is still considered an Orland employee. She has been contracted to run the Willows site, but is not a city staff member, Holsinger explained.

Holsinger added that the cities could consider a similar arrangement with Hamilton City if the situation ever becomes right.

"The money is actually not a big factor," Holsinger said. "Glenn County is not really big enough to support full libraries in both cities. It's more efficient to have one director for the county, the way Butte County does."

Holsinger said, potential financial gains aside, the move is an example of "good government."

"I think it's win-win for both cities," cheap New era jordan hatsHansen said.

The move is expected to save about $19,000 in Willows and $36,000 in Orland for the current fiscal year, a highly motivating factor as both cities continue to struggle with deficit spending.

"But we're still open to look at any proposals," he added.

However, the prospect of combining library directors is the only proposal to ever gain any traction, Willows City Manager Steve Holsinger said.

Officials from Willows and Orland have frequently discussed the possibility of combining programs and services, everything from widely supported ideas such as the sharing emergency dispatchers, to less popular proposals such combining the services of the public works and police departments.

The move comes during an ever deepening financial crunch, and after years of unsuccessful attempts to hire one director to run both sites.

"It just makes good business sense," Willows Councilman Gary Hansen said.

The Willows City Council approved Tuesday a joint services agreement with Orland to have Glenn County native Jody Meza run the libraries for both cities. Orland's council adopted its half of the agreement last month.

"We've been looking for ways to combine services for a very long time,"wholesale New era jordan hatsWillows Councilman Vince Holvik said.

After years of false starts and near misses, Glenn County's two largest cities have started experimenting with combining government services in an effort to reduce expenses and improve efficiency.