NORTHAMPTON — As Forbes Library continues its search for new director, patrons at a forum Wednesday suggested that the top post should be filled by someone who is willing and eager to listen to community members and staff when making decisions.
The forum was held at the library by the Search Committee to give library patrons a chance to sound off about what qualities they want to see in the successor to retiring Director Janet Moulding, and important priorities facing the library in the coming years.
Moulding, who has led Forbes since 2004, is set to retire at the end of this year. The committee to find her replacement is made up of trustees Marjorie Hess and Russell Carrier; staff members Molly Moss and Dylan Gaffney and Friends of Forbes members Martha McCormick and Serena Smith.
The committee plans to select three finalists to interview this fall, after applications are due Sept. 1. The interviews will be conducted in public meetings. They hope that a new director will be able to start immediately following Moulding’s last day, Hess said.
Among the most common qualities suggested by some of the 30 meeting participants is a willingness to listen. “Someone who will know and support their staff and will look to their staff for answers,” Nancy Dubin said. “They know what patrons want.”
And Barbara Wurtzel, who like Dubin is a lifelong librarian, said that listening should carry over to the public. “It gives patrons a sense that the library is interested in them,” she said.
Other suggestions offered including hiring someone who has a research background and can understand that role played by a librarian, someone with fundraising skills, someone who understands the needs of the homeless population who rely on the library as a warm and safe public space, someone who embraces new technology and someone who respects privacy and encourages intellectualism.
Those interested in submitting suggestions about the committee’s search for a new director may email Hess at hesstal@crocker.com.
Chris Lindahl can be reached at clindahl@gazettenet.com