Muskegon Public Library Board approves director job posting, forms search committee and names interim director

The Muskegon Public Library Board on May 7 approved a national job posting and recruitment brochure for its search for a new library director, authorized updates to the director job description, formed a search committee and appointed Samantha Quayle as interim library director after a closed-session discussion.

Board members said the recruitment materials and outreach plan are intended to attract “top talent” and to have a new director in place in time to participate in the city budget process later this summer. Kate, human resources staff, told the board the posting is designed to “hit the high points” of qualifications, salary range and responsibilities and that the materials — including a visual recruitment brochure and a virtual tour link — will be posted through the city’s NeoGov applicant-tracking system and broadcast to professional channels such as the American Library Association and the Wisconsin Library Association.

The board discussed where to advertise and how to structure the posting. Members agreed to broadcast the listing through the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, Bridges Library System communications, professional listservs maintained by state universities and, where appropriate, municipal and neighboring-system sites. The board decided not to require posting on Indeed or similar general-job websites as a primary channel, citing past instances when broad postings generated many unqualified applications. The posting was approved with minor wording corrections discussed at the meeting.

Members also approved a revised director job description, updated for the first time since 2015. The board discussed adding explicit technology competencies (streaming platforms, basic graphic design software and social media), clarifying language about communication skills, and qualifying physical requirements so that lifting or pushing tasks are described as occasional rather than daily. The job description will list a valid Wisconsin driver’s license as preferred rather than strictly required; board members said travel to monthly director meetings and occasional site visits make driving helpful but not mandatory if travel can be arranged otherwise.

Board members reviewed the planned search committee’s role, timeline and composition. The committee’s responsibilities will include screening applications, conducting the first-round interviews, narrowing candidates and presenting finalists to the full board. Trustees asked for a clear timetable — posting, screening, interview rounds and final board interviews — and were told the search committee should expect about three to five additional meetings depending on the candidate pool. The board agreed to post externally and internally at the same time and aimed to post the opening on May 9 so a candidate could be in place before the city’s August budget review.

The board appointed a search committee that will be chaired by Dave and include trustees Carrie, Michelle and Phyllis; Kate from human resources will coordinate. The head of reference and the current library system director were to be asked to serve; the head of reference will be asked whether she intends to be a candidate before confirming participation. The board discussed whether search-committee meetings are subject to open-meeting requirements and will verify notice/closed-session rules with the city attorney.

The board then moved into closed session under Wisconsin Stat. § 19.85(1)(c) to discuss personnel matters. The roll call to enter closed session recorded Aye votes from Dave, Barb, Carrie, Michelle, Tracy, Jennifer, Phyllis and Kristen. After the closed session the board reconvened in open session and voted to appoint Samantha Quayle as interim library director; the motion passed unanimously with a recorded motion (mover: Carrie; second: Phyllis). No additional terms of the interim appointment were disclosed in open session.

The board set its next regular meeting for May 20 and adjourned at about 7:21 p.m.