Chair Jessica Rowe called a special session of the Churchill County Library Board of Trustees and the board unanimously appointed Penny Esposito as interim director to stabilize library operations while the board continues the search for a permanent director.

The trustees also authorized Churchill County human resources to extend an offer to Esposito, negotiate salary within the libraryudget, set a start date and provide county training resources. Separately, the board authorized the county manager to perform the administrative tasks and duties of the library director retroactive to June 20, 2025 until the interim director begins work.

The action followed public comment from Mel Glover, director of the Churchill County Museum, who told the board, "Now, having said that, the buck stops with you guys, right?" and urged trustees to act to keep library services stable. Legal counsel Jeff Weed cautioned trustees that "these meetings are on the open record. They exist and they last forever," and urged care when discussing individual candidates.

Board members described key priorities for the interim role as providing stability, supporting library staff and protecting patron privacy. Trustee Maddie Serna and others pressed for stronger board support and more frequent interim reports during the transition. Trustee Sue Segura offered a personal endorsement of Esposito, saying she has known her for years and describing her as "positive, she's smart, and has the skills for finance."

Human resources representative Kim Bronson told the board the position posting is live and that the county had received the three letters of interest the board had identified; Bronson said formally, "We have not done anything, officially," about a climate survey and offered to prepare both a staff climate survey and a questionnaire on what staff want to see in a director. Bronson told the board the job posting closes August 4 and that the county can help schedule interviews; trustees discussed a tentative interview date of August 28 and said they expected the review panel to bring a shortlist of roughly three to five candidates.

On the salary and resources authorization, trustees said the library has available salary savings in the current budget and gave HR latitude to negotiate within that range and to provide county onboarding and privacy training for the interim director. The board also authorized HR to finalize a start date for Esposito and to begin necessary county personnel steps.

The board voted by voice on each of the motions. The roll call at the meeting showed five trustees present; motions to approve the agenda, appoint Esposito as interim director, authorize HR to extend an offer and negotiate salary/resources, authorize the county manager to perform director duties retroactive to June 20, 2025, and to give HR latitude to form and adjust the search/review panel all carried unanimously.

Trustees said they will continue updating the public and library staff as the hiring process proceeds and indicated they would revisit the details of the permanent hiring timeline and whether to hold a special meeting for interviews in upcoming meetings.