The South Burlington Library Board of Trustees announced at its meeting that the library has hired a new director who will begin a transition overlap with current director Jennifer. "We have a new library director. Bridal Droppas will be joining us. She'll be starting now full time the September," Chair Marks said during opening remarks.

The hire matters because trustees said they want a planned overlap so the incoming director and Jennifer can work together before the current director leaves. "She will be have a full week with Jennifer overlap," Chair Marks said, adding trustees will discuss the hiring process in executive session and how to communicate the transition publicly.

Board members asked that trustees and staff support a smooth handoff and noted plans for a send-off for Jennifer on Oct. 3. Trustees also discussed timing for a fuller public introduction of the new director, with plans to coordinate a more complete rollout after the new director has begun work.

In addition to transition logistics, trustees discussed coordinating publicity. The communications committee and city staff will work with library leadership to time announcements and arrange interviews. The board said it will also use the planned onboarding to update the library's strategic plan and mission statements while the new director is settling in.

No formal board action to finalize onboarding or communications was taken at the meeting; trustees directed staff to prepare materials and a formal onboarding plan for a later meeting.

Trustees said they will finalize a public communications timeline once the new director begins and after additional onboarding steps are set.