Three candidates vying to be next library director

Published December 12, 2018

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — The Board of Library Trustees is looking to appoint the next director of the Lynnfield Public Library later this month, Interim Library Director Nancy Ryan said in an interview with the Villager.

The library is searching for a new library director in the wake of former Director Holly Mercer resigning in early June in order to become the director of the Southwest Kansas Library System. Ryan, who was Mercer’s predecessor, has served as interim director since June.

According to Ryan, the library had 40 candidates apply for the job and three finalists were named. The finalists are Pelham, New Hampshire Library Director Rita Gavelis, former Boston Public Library Public Services Chief Jennifer Inglis and Stephenson County Historical Society Activities Director Laura Keyes.

“The trustees have not yet appointed the next director,” said Ryan. “Final interviews have been completed and the trustees will deliberate on Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at the library.”

Gavelis has served as Pelham’s library director since 2018. She previously worked as the community outreach, adult programing and technology librarian for the Acton Public Library from 2016-2018. Additionally, Gavelis worked as a technology specialist for the Burlington Public Library from 2012-2016.

“As the adult programming, community outreach, technology librarian at Acton, I expanded the book delivery program by visiting the local assisted living centers,” stated Gavelis in a cover letter sent to the search committee. “I also broadened the scope of adult programs by offering more diverse presenters and partnering with the Senior Center to share expenses and use their beautiful facility. As the director of the Pelham Public Library, I have embraced the variety of tasks associated with my position. I manage the budget, oversee all aspects of library staffing and managing the facility, as well as represent the library before the town selectmen and budget committees.”

Inglis worked as the chief of public services at the Boston Public Library from 2014-2017, where she was in charge of staffing at the Central Library in Copley Square as well as public services across 24 branches.

“At the Boston Public Library, I was a key administration team member in charge of design and service decisions for a $78 million renovation of the Central Library in Copley Square,” stated Inglis in a letter sent to the search committee.

Inglis worked as the director of the Nahant Public Library from 2012-2014. She was the director of the Whitman Public Library from 2007-2010.

“As library director in Whitman and Nahant, Massachusetts, I was responsible for all operations and fiscal management,” stated Inglis. “I worked with municipal leaders to develop and defend budgets and identify areas for potential growth and potential cuts. I have also directly and indirectly managed the staffing process for teams of five to 20 employees and volunteers as a director and chief of public services at the Boston Public Library.”

Keyes has worked as the activities director for the Stephenson County Historical Society in Freeport, Illinois since May. She previously worked as the head of adult and technical services for the Freeport Public Library from November 2015-April 2018. She was the Illinois Institute of Art’s library director from February 2012-October 2015.

“My recent experience at the Freeport Public Library has allowed me to sharpen and focus my programming and outreach skills as well as supervising staff, creating and maintaining budgets and preparing various statistical reports,” Keyes stated in a cover letter sent to the search committee. “I oversaw the adult services, technical services and local history room departments, and worked with other department heads to ensure a well-run library for every patron.”

After the library trustees appoint the next director, Ryan will be working with the next library leader to ensure a smooth transition takes place. She undertook a similar initiative with Mercer.

“We are working on the transition and orientation details for the new director now,” said Ryan. “I will remain on as long as the new director and the trustees feel it is necessary. I will be reviewing the major aspects of the job: fiscal management, community outreach, library operations, Lynnfield Public Library Foundation and the construction project – and any related documents.”