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The Crook County Library is once again searching for a Library Director.
Currently, the County has narrowed down the field to four candidates. Interviews began on Thursday, and there is not a start date appointed at this time.
“We just want to get the most qualified candidate,” said Crook County Human Resources Director, Michelle Blomquist.
Crook County Judge Mike McCabe said that the Board of Trustees for the Crook County Library will review the applications and make a recommendation to the Court. McCabe said that the County Court usually talks to the candidates, but tries to leave it to the board of trustees for a recommendation.
The previous director, Dave Patterson, was employed in the director position for approximately two-and-a-half years. The Crook County Library is currently functioning without a director, but the County is hoping to fill the position by June.
Rick Chrisinger, previous Library Director for more than 33 years, reflected on some of the biggest changes he saw over the years before he retired in 2008.
At the top of the list was the move into the new library, which was ready in October, 1999. Chrisinger said that the facilities usage by different groups outside of the library staff increased dramatically. Technology changed with the new building, and along with this came changes in procedures.
“I recommend that the next director takes time to learn the community’s library needs, relies on the staff’s experience, and doesn’t get in too much of a hurry to make big changes.”
The purpose and duties of the position of the CC Library Director are many. The position requires an individual that is skilled in managing the Library, the library staff, the library budget, collection development, implementation of technology, coordination of maintenance of public services, and is skilled at public and volunteer relations.
Chrisinger concluded that the two skills he thought were most important were people skills and collection development.
The position reports to the Crook County Court, which includes the elected County Judge and two County commissioners, and the Board of Trustees, the five-member board appointed by the Crook County Court to govern the affairs of the Crook County Library.
