City Service Commission denies appeal by Petra Decker over library manager application

The Milwaukee City Service Commission on Jan. 28 denied an appeal by Petra Decker challenging the rejection of her application for a Library Services Manager position at the Milwaukee Public Library.

The commission’s three members — President Frank Bach and Commissioners Miller and Cleary — voted to deny the appeal after hearing department and library HR testimony and statements from Decker. Commissioners Miller, Smith and Cleary voted “yes” on the motion to deny; the record shows the appeal was denied in open session.

Decker told the commission she holds a master’s degree in library and information science and said she had more than nine years of experience in the library’s Education and Outreach Services unit. “I am not asking for an exception to these minimum requirements. I feel just like you do that they’re very important,” Decker said. “I’m articulating that I meet those minimum requirements. I have a master’s in library information science that’s required. I have over 9 years of experience at the library building the department…