Farar P. Elliott wrote:
>
> Perhaps my colleagues can help me and ease my worried mind.  Gosh, I hope
> so....
>
> Our custodian of 7 years this morning gave his notice, citing a desire to
> drop this part-time job to spend more time at home, a frustration with the
> financial situation here which precludes doing any job well and forces all
> kinds of jerryrigging in a quirky building, lack of respect and
> appreciation from the trustees and not enough pay.  All of these reasons
> are indisputable from my end, and despite my pleadings, I am faced with
> hiring a new custodian and general repair person just two months into my
> first directorship.  This institution has relied heavily on our
> custodian's ingenuity and knowledge of the building for a long time, and I
> have not yet learned even a portion of what he knows about the place.
>
> So, can museum-l folk offer suggestions as to what to look for in a museum
> custodian and building management person for a small institution?  I
> realize that walking on water would be nice, but realistically, what have
> proven to be the qualities that are absolutely necessary, and what are the
> ones you have had to abandon?
>
> Many thanks for your help!
>
> ************************************************************************
> Farar Elliott
> Executive Director
> Ethan Allen Homestead Trust
> 1 Ethan Allen Homestead, Suite 2
> Burlington, VT  05401
> 802.865.4556
>
> "The gods of the hills are not the gods of the valleys."  --Ethan Allen
> ************************************************************************
Why don't you ask the outgoing custodian to write a detailed
job-description and make a detailed list of things that need special
attention.  Maybe you could "contract" with him to do this job for you
for a reasonable fee.  He might do so just to vent his spleen and get
some satisfaction.  Might be that he was never asked to do so in the
first place and is quitting because he doesn't think anyone is paying
any attention to him.

Bob Handy