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Library Commission director to retire; incoming director asks committee to restore two positions and fund a 5% salary pot
Summary
Hulan Bivens announced his upcoming retirement and introduced Jennifer Lena as the incoming director. Lena asked the committee to restore two recommended headcount cuts (~$130,000) and to provide a 5% salary progression (~$173,000) and to restore federal authority to spend IMLS funds if they are reinstated.
Hulan Bivens (S7), director of the Library Commission, opened the commission’s presentation by announcing his retirement after 53 years in librarianship and introduced Jennifer Lena (S8) as the board’s appointee and incoming executive director.
Jennifer Lena described a modest budget outlook but said the commission urgently needs two headcounts restored that were recommended for removal in a staffing snapshot; she cited long recruitments for master‑level librarian positions and estimated restoring the two positions would cost about $130,000. “We do very much request that you restore the recommended 2 headcount loss, and that would cost approximately a $130,000,” Lena said.
Lena also asked the committee to restore federal authority in the commission’s special funds because of uncertainty earlier this year about continuation of IMLS funding; she said the agency is currently operating under a continuing resolution and hopes the funds will be restored but needs the authority in case they return. Finally the incoming director requested a 5% salary progression pot (about $173,000) to reduce a recent turnover rate of about 35% and to make the agency competitive with larger state employers.
Committee members asked for details on which positions were open and the causes of turnover; Lena said one position has been open 10 months, another about eight months, and that three long‑term employees retired in the past year. Senators on the committee commended the commission’s audited record and expressed support for the incoming leadership. No formal vote was taken; Lena said the commission would follow up with additional details if requested.
The commission also noted a dual accomplishment: passing both a federal and state audit in the same year without findings, which Lena asked the committee to remember as it considers staffing and funding requests.
The committee recessed after follow‑up questions.
