Children's librarian to leave April 15; library plans recruitment and interim coverage

Library leadership told the board on March 13 that Kelly Kendall, who works in the children’s department, has submitted her resignation and will finish on April 15. The director said the departure is expected to be a “great loss” because Kendall was part of leadership and directly involved with children’s programming and staff mentorship.

The board and staff discussed immediate recruitment plans. Library leadership said the full-time adult-services position vacated by a recent resignation has not yet been posted; the children’s leadership vacancy would be posted quickly with the aim of allowing the new hire to help select a part-time youth assistant. The director told the board she planned to post the children’s position by the following Monday and that she would work in the children’s department as needed to cover shifts until hires are made.

The board also discussed the operational impact of adding Sunday hours. Staff noted that expanding to Sundays requires additional coverage: the library previously created two 19-hour positions and a substitute to cover new hours and estimated that expanding Sunday service will require roughly six people adding desk hours (each adding about six hours). Board members and staff described this as an efficiency and staffing challenge rather than an immediate budget issue; the budget to add Sunday hours was approved by the city.

Staff asked for board assistance in recruitment outreach where appropriate; the director said she would post the positions through city channels and the Vermont Library Association. Interim desk coverage and scheduling adjustments will continue until permanent staff are in place.