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5 finalists vie for director of Mahoning library system
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Sears
YOUNGSTOWN
Of the five finalists for director of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County, four serve as high-level administrators in library systems and two work in Ohio, including the current director of Cuyahoga County Human Services.
The public is invited to meet the finalists at a 6 p.m. forum next Wednesday in the meeting room of the Main Library, 305 Wick Ave.
The finalists are Stephen P. Bero of Grayslake, Ill., director of Warren-Newport Public Library District; Jason J. Buydos of Cincinnati, assistant director of support services for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County; Heidi M. Daniel of Sugar Land, Texas, neighborhood library team leader at the Houston Public Library; David J. Mather of New Port Richey, Fla., one of three administrators for the Pasco County Library; and Richard B. Werner Jr. of Cleveland, director of Cuyahoga County Human Services.
This is the second group of finalists for the position. In January, a public forum took place to hear from the previous two finalists, one of whom was embroiled in controversy over a library expansion in Detroit and the other had not worked in library service since 2008.
“This is a stronger pool than last time,” said director Carlton Sears, who was set to retire March 30 after 15 years as director of Mahoning County’s 16-branch library system. His contract was extended.
Werner, the only candidate not currently employed by a library system, touted his public administration experience and five years on the board of trustees of the Cleveland Public Library in his application.
Werner applied for the Mahoning County position in December, but was not recommended by a consultant firm in the first round based on his level of library experience, said Janet Loew, library spokeswoman. Werner’s resume was more carefully considered by the firm in the second round, she said.
The second search was conducted in the same manner as the first, with library-consultant firm Bradbury Associates/Gossage Sager Associates screening applicants before sending candidates to the library search committee for an online interview via Skype, Sears said.
Sears said 31 people applied, and the search committee interviewed about a dozen online via Skype. The Bradbury firm was paid a one-time $20,000 fee to assist with the search, Loew said.
The difference in the search this time, Sears said, is the time of year and the salary.
“The time of year makes a difference. Moving in the summer is better for applicants with children. ... It probably didn’t hurt that we boosted the salary,” Sears said.
The original job listing said the salary would be between $95,000 and $110,000 a year. The second listing said the annual starting salary would be $110,000, negotiable depending upon experience. Sears’ annual salary is $109,430.
The library’s trustee board will meet at 3 p.m. May 31 to consider a recommendation from the search committee for a new director.