Kings County board confirms Tanya Russell as library director, sets $10,000-a-month pay

The Kings County Board of Supervisors unanimously confirmed Tanya Russell as the county Library Director and set compensation at $10,000 a month, effective July 21, 2025.

The appointment was presented July 29 by Michael Powers, assistant county administrative officer, who told the board the position’s minimum qualifications normally require a master’s degree from an American Library Association–accredited university and four years’ experience. Powers said the board had received a state-granted exemption to the educational requirement that took effect July 21, 2025, and expires July 21, 2026. He said the appointment would stabilize the library while the county prepares a recruitment process during the coming year.

Tanya Russell, who has worked for the Kings County Library for 30 years, thanked the board after the vote. “I’m very grateful for this opportunity. When I started in the library in 1995, I was an extra help library assistant 1,” Russell said. “I’m now working in the same office that I was hired in 30 years ago.”

Powers told the board the salary and benefits were included in the fiscal year 2025–26 recommended budget. The board conducted a roll-call vote and recorded five affirmative votes to approve the appointment and compensation.

The county administration said it will proceed with a competitive recruitment for the Library Director position during the exemption period. The director is the executive leader of the county library system and is responsible for overseeing operations and services provided by the libraries.

The board chair closed discussion after the vote and the meeting moved on to other business.