The Detroit Public Library: The News Just Keeps Getting Worse

Hiring relatives common at Detroit library. (Chicago Tribune, 5/6/2011)

Excerpt: An internal review shows hiring relatives is a common practice at the cash-strapped Detroit Public Library system.

The review was obtained by The Detroit News, which reports Friday that about one in six staffers have relatives among the 376 employees.

The News says three top library executives have had family members on the payroll, including until recently human resources director Trinee Moore's two children.

Moore says staffers are qualified, and safeguards have been implemented to prevent preferential treatment. She says a committee of managers makes hires, and layoffs come by seniority.

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Moore says she had no role in the hiring of her children, and the library isn't different from other workplaces where employees refer relatives.

Others say hiring relatives has created problems.

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The Detroit Public Library needs some good news (and this isn't it).  (5/5/2011)
Rainy day fund keeps fewer branches from closing.  (4/29/2011)
Proposal to close 18 of 23 Detroit branches sparks anger. (4/22/2011)
Few expenses spared in South Wing remodeling of library.  (4/22/2011)
Downward spiral.  (4/16/2011)
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Budget woes. (2/5/2011)