Committee advances three mayoral nominees to St. Louis Public Library Board

The St. Louis City Legislation Rules Committee on July 1 advanced three mayoral nominees to the St. Louis Public Library Board after brief introductions and unanimous consent.

Alderwoman (10th Ward), who presented the nominations to the committee, said the nominees had gone through the city’s vetting process and asked members for their "favorable consideration" to move the appointments to the full Board. The nominees introduced themselves to the committee and answered no substantive questions.

Sharon Shahed said she moved back to St. Louis eight months ago and described the library’s personal importance to her: "My library card was like my passport," she said, noting she hoped to serve on the board because of that background. Kathy Serat States said she has lived in St. Louis since 1988, cited her service on the St. Louis Foundation board and said she looks forward to helping ensure library services remain available to city residents. The nominee identified as Glor (spelled aloud by the nominee as "G L O R E") said he grew up in the city, returned about 12 years ago and already serves on the airport arts advisory committee; he said he regularly uses library facilities and programs.

Aldermen and alderwomen on the committee offered welcomes and thanks for the nominees’ willingness to serve; no committee member asked substantive follow-up questions during the introductions. After brief remarks, a motion was made, seconded and the committee advanced all three nominations by unanimous voice consent to the full Board, which is scheduled to consider them the following day.

The nominations will be considered by the full Board of Aldermen on the next business day; committee members said that final approval at that stage is expected but not guaranteed.