Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Library Staffing And Strategy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Englewood library to post national search for director, shortens holiday hours during staffing transition
Summary
Staff told the Englewood City Library Board that the city will post for a library director (deputy‑director level) and a manager, is relying on interim former director Dorothy Hargrove and other city staff to cover gaps, and will shorten holiday hours while recruiting and finalizing a strategic plan.
Christina Underhill, director of Parks, Recreation, Library & Golf for Englewood City, told the Library Board on a short December evening that the library will recruit a new library director at roughly a deputy‑director level and hire a manager to handle day‑to‑day operations.
"We are going to be recruiting for a library director, that would report to me," Underhill said, adding staff expect to post the director position before the end of the year and to hold interviews in late January or early February. Underhill said the city will post the openings nationally on library job sites such as the American Library Association and Public Library Association portals to attract both local and national candidates.
The change follows a recent management staffing shift. Underhill said former library director Dorothy Hargrove has returned on an interim basis and will support operations through January–March while the city fills the new roles. "She oversaw this library for quite a while," Underhill said of Hargrove, noting Hargrove previously served in higher city roles and is familiar with the library’s needs.
Because of recent vacancies and short‑staffing, the library will move to shortened holiday hours: staff said the library will close at 5 p.m. during the last two weeks in December and through Jan. 5. Staff also reported one Saturday closure earlier in December when staffing hit minimum levels. The board was told the library’s total full‑time equivalent positions remain unchanged at 19.5, and that several recent departures were part‑time employees (about 25 hours per week) who did not receive health insurance through the city.
Board members offered to serve on interview panels for the new director position if asked. Underhill encouraged board outreach to boost recruitment and community input for the library’s forthcoming strategic plan.
On the strategic plan, Underhill said consultants from the Barry Dunn team will lead an in‑service day on Jan. 10 with staff (morning session 9 a.m.–1 p.m.; the library will reopen at 1 p.m.), and that the plan is expected around April. The public survey tied to the plan has received 172 responses so far; staff said they will use email blasts, social media, QR codes on A‑frames and comment cards to increase participation, and GIS work is underway to analyze drive‑time and walkability around the library.
Chelsea Noon, the city’s council liaison, thanked board members for their service and noted a new board member will join soon and recruitment for additional openings will reopen in February.
Next steps announced at the meeting: the library director position will be posted on national library job sites before year‑end, interviews are expected in late January or early February, an in‑service day with consultants is scheduled for Jan. 10, and the strategic plan is anticipated in the April timeframe.
