THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, March 12, 1996 TAG: 9603120002
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
I am writing to express my surprise and extreme dismay at the dismissal of The Chrysler Museum of Art Librarian Rena Hudgins.
I have been a member of the museum for several years in addition to serving on the board of directors of the library since 1982 (past treasurer). I was flattered to have been voted Volunteer of the Year for the Library in 1983. I have seen the library grow from a pile of boxes in the juvenile-court building to what it has become today - or should I say yesterday.
I state emphatically: The library would not be anything close to what it is today without the knowledge, the care, the devotion, the tears, the long hours, the actual physical labor and the sheer love that Rena Hudgins has poured into it. The library will be dead in the water and all of the work by Ms. Hudgins, her staff and the members of the library associates (a.k.a. The Friends of the Library) will be wasted, if not lost entirely, without her. What good is this impressive collection, the superb space it occupies, the wonderful new on-line system without an educated and experienced professional to oversee and administer it?
A more-complete explanation is due the public as to why this seemingly gross injustice has been done.
I realize my contribution will not make or break the Chrysler, but it was with great reluctance that my husband and I nenewed our membership this month. That we will renew it next year is extremely questionable. I am resigning from the library board, as I am embarrassed to be associated in any way with an organization that treats people in such a shabby manner.
CARY A. McRAE
Portsmouth, March 7, 1996 by CNB