Forbush seeks new director ... again
By Caitlyn Kelleher

Forbush Memorial Library Director Charlene Churchill submitted her resignation to the Library Board of Trustees recently, shortly after taking a new job in Maine.

Churchill is moving to a library director's position in Ellsworth, Maine - an area where she worked before - according to Trustee

Beth D'Onfro. Churchill will

work at Forbush until Thursday, Aug. 24.

"We're terribly sorry to lose her," Library Board of Trustees Chairman Walter Haney said. "It came as a surprise. I think she has a lot of ties to Maine."

Churchill was hired six months ago after an extensive search process, which included one failed search.

Churchill is the fourth director - including interim director Mary Jo Campbell - at the library since October 2003.

"Our intent is to appoint an acting director before we undertake the search for a permanent director," Haney said.

Haney said the library staff has continued to provide the public with a high level of service "despite this turmoil in leadership."

"We really hope that we can get a long-term director very soon," Haney said. "They don't pay us enough as trustees to go through this."

He said the trustees are sorry to see Churchill leave because of many of the accomplishments she has made since her arrival, including hiring new staff.

The trustees are pleased that Churchill hired new children's librarian Geri Manning and an adult services librarian Rachel Seale.

"The board will miss the professionalism and idealism she brought to her position and wish her all the best as she continues her career in Maine," D'Onfro wrote in the announcement of Churchill's departure.

"She has been absolutely terrific," Haney said.

"She's accomplished a huge amount in the short time she's been with us."

The trustees are waiting until he can meet with the personal board to determine what type of search process will be required for the new director, he said.

The selectmen passed a policy last year that required a search committee to be formed that includes members of the community for any department head position.

"I don't know if they want us to go through that process again," Haney said.

The trustees are charged with the hiring of a library director.

The interim director and the new director will not be responsible for the renovation project at the library, Haney said.

The trustees will hire a clerk of the works, who along with the building committee will be responsible for the project.

"They are going to try to help to oversee this," he said. "It looks now that the renovation won't start until next year."

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Caitlyn Kelleher can be reached at (978) 827-3386, ext. 15, or e-mail: caitlynkelleher@ aol.com