“Help! Our Library Director Just Quit!”

If your old director is retiring or moving away, give the outgoing director her due. Thank her and celebrate past accomplishments, and ask for her advice and recommendations about what needs to be done to keep the library strong. But do also set clear boundaries about her future involvement in library business.

If your old director was terminated, make a clean break. Get him out of the library as soon as possible. Remove and return all of his personal belongings, or allow him to do so himself with appropriate supervision, and secure the facility. (Yes, that may mean replacing the locks). Remain professional. Keep communication open and clear.

Whatever the circumstances, changing directors means that the status quo is going to be upset. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Many library boards have been pleasantly surprised to find that the process of hiring a new director has been positive in terms of building stronger, more cohesive relationships among board members. And it often helps to reconnect the board to the community at large.

Let’s review the board’s responsibilities once the old director quits or is fired. This is what should happen:

1. Act swiftly. Call an executive session to plan your strategy.
2. Come up with an interim plan to keep the library open for business.
3. Brainstorm desirable qualities of a new library director.
4. Dust off the job description and update it. Make sure you are clear what experience and/or education you desire in your prospective candidates. Include information on starting salary and benefits.
5. Put the word out far and wide that you are looking for a new director.
6. Put the hiring decision on a tight timeline. Schedule interviews as soon as possible.
7. Consider staff adjustment issues. Listen and support them during the transition.

During the job interview:

1. Don’t let a fancy resume impress you.
2. Be open and straightforward about money, hours and benefits.
3. Be equally straightforward about your performance expectations.
4. Balance age and experience against youth and enthusiasm. Both can be pluses.

In short, a new director is an opportunity to get positive publicity for the library, gain new friends and build new relationships, get new users into the library, and improve library service and performance.