The Rodgers Memorial Library Board of Trustees began formal steps toward hiring a new Library Director at its July 22 meeting, launching the job listing and receiving a first wave of applicants as the Board prepares for Director Linda Pilla’s retirement in September.
“We have received, in the last week, 10 applications,” said Board Chair Mimi Guessferd. “Most of which look pretty good.” She said all applications would be forwarded to Trustees for review.
Trustee Ali Rafieymehr asked about the target start date for the new Director. Guessferd said the goal is to allow for overlap with Pilla before she steps down, giving time for a smooth transition.
Pilla said she intends to remain available during the hand-off. “I’ll make myself available to answer questions, either by phone or by coming in,” she said. “There’s a sort of initial transfer of information, and then there’s a bit of space for the Director to start to explore, and the old director will be there to offer help as needed. As far as the budget goes, I’m still here for the Board of Selectmen meetings.”
Pilla helped draft the job listing and outlined some of the physical and educational requirements. “We need to be able to move around, get up and down, and we need to be able to move tables,” she said. “We look for a Master’s Degree in Library Science, although I myself do not have one. I am one of those covered by the ‘or an equivalent combination of education and experience’ clause.”
She also offered to attend Budget Committee meetings during the upcoming budget season if needed.
Guessferd said the application window closes July 31, and interviews will begin immediately afterward. “I would like to roll hard after that with getting people in for interviews, and hopefully make the selection before I go on vacation Aug. 21,” she said. “My deadline is to have it done by Aug. 20 if I can so whoever can submit their resignations and move forward.”
The Trustees also finalized hiring for a new accounting clerk. “We’ve found our candidate, we did our interviews, we presented her with an offer, she counter offered, we counter-counter offered, and she accepted that,” Guessferd said. “Starting Aug. 10, she will be with us.”
The part time accounting clerk position will focus on maintaining financial documentation, including accounts payable, records, deposits, accounts, and invoices. Rafieymehr suggested clarifying that the role reports to both the Director and the Board of Trustees, and the Board agreed to include that wording.
The next meeting of the Rodgers Memorial Library Board of Trustees is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 19, in the Hudson Community Television Building.
