Saturday … I resign!

This week I had to make a decision; should I go or should I stay?  It was not easy; at the time there was not a clear cut answer.

I have been a working as a volunteer in a small academic library in southern Spain.  For the last 7 years, and it has become my project and part of my life.  I spent my entire annual leave at the Institute; at Christmas, Easter and Summer leaving my family at significant times to work in the library.  I felt responsible to the library, students and the teachers; I worked diligently as all the teachers without pay.  I would be a liar to say I enjoyed every moment; it was hard work, the conditions not always comfortable and the internet connection was in the beginning very unstable.  Nonetheless, the disadvantages were outweighed 100% by the joys, friendships and end result; I would go home happy.

Sadly, for reasons unknown to me, and they still remain a mystery, the management structure changed and there was unrest among the staff; and some personnel cuts were made.  To me they seemed undemocratic, unfair and cruel.   While my role was not affected, my alliance was linked with those who had been so ungraciously dismissed and in my opinion without grounds.  

Up ‘til now I had remained neutral serving the students and the staff, and my colleagues recommended I stayed if only to maintain the  very  important library and the students who should remain untouched by management unrest.  

However since returning this summer for my regular two week stretch, I learned that the the Library was no longer a haven in the political unrest and the students were also taking sides; explicitly or implicitly  putting me in a vulnerable situation.  I soon knew that I too would have to make my opinions known and therefore putting a nail in my coffin and maybe an uncomfortable dismissal.  However, without friendly support and aware of the unprofessional stand, making my resignation was not going to made easy.  I went to great lengths to speak with the only representative of the management team on site only to be thwarted by his  wife, spitefully on three occasions.  

While I was able to deliver my note of resignation it was undignified and not as I hoped.

There is a point to this outburst; I wish to remain,  grateful to those who had it possible for me to hold my position in the ITAS library; for the support, motivation and kindness shown.  I am also happy that I have done a good job.