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Kent County Public Library director outlines reorganization, expanded services
Summary
New executive director Natalie Hagen summarized a departmental reorganization, salary adjustments to move three positions to exempt status, plans to add an entry-level staffer within budget, increased branch hours and a new 'Library of Things' lending collection to serve residents across county branches.
Natalie Hagen, newly appointed executive director of the Kent County Public Library, told commissioners the library had reorganized three departments — programming and publicity; patrons and facilities; technical and collection services — and moved three positions to exempt status to provide more executive-level administrative flexibility. The reorganization also lowered the executive director’s salary and eliminated one manager position to redistribute oversight across the department.
Hagen said the changes make room in the salary budget to add a lower-level position while remaining within current appropriations. Chief Operations Officer Chris Walmsley told the commission the reorganization is projected to save about $54,000 in salary lines and that historic savings were driven by turnover and unfilled positions.
The presentation highlighted service-hour increases — the library system is open about 88 hours per week across three branches — and reported more than 8,700 active patrons (use within five years), roughly 46% of the county population. Hagen described program expansions including the Library of Things (CPR kits, podcasting and photography kits, STEM kits) and a Maryland collection expanded to Rock Hall. She credited grants and foundation support for recent technology upgrades and renovations funded in part by the Maryland Historic Trust’s African American Heritage Preservation Program.
Commissioners thanked staff and noted positive community response to events such as a well-attended art-supply swap and partnerships with local schools and organizations. No formal action was required.
