Mathew Rose, Sebastopol Library Branch Manager, has again been placed on paid administrative leave -- this time, with the intent to dismiss based on charges that range from petty to bizarre. 

Last year, library employees and patrons were shocked when their branch manager was placed on leave suddenly and without explanation. The community asked that he be reinstated in petitions to the Library Commission and Director Erika Thiebaut.  Following a costly and protracted dispute, Mathew was able to return to work. 

We were relieved and thought it was over. 

One year later, we learn that those ensconced in the 40,000 square foot "headquarters" at Rohnert Park must have too much time on their hands and $100,000 to waste in finding trumped up charges against the manager of our busy, successful branch. 

If that isn't ridiculous enough, middle management bullying has expanded to volunteers who work at the library day in and day out, and have seen the negative impacts on morale at the branch. Without any consideration for the branch and its events, jackhammering in the public restroom was scheduled to be done during a library book sale. The Friends of the Sebastopol Library reached a point to pass this resolution expressing no confidence in the library management for the first time ever.  Read more about it in the Sebastopol Times here. 

The Sebastopol Library Advisory Board passed a no confidence resolution at its July meeting, too. Read about Tears at the library here. 

Enough is enough. Please sign and share our second petition to reinstate Mathew Rose as our Sebastopol librarian once and for all and stop the harassment - including formally retracting all previous progressive disciplinary actions on which this notice to terminate was based. Because his livelihood is at stake, a gofundme has been started to raise money for Mathew to retain legal representation. Donations will be refunded if - as we hope - the library administration drops all charges and litigation is unnecessary.