What should the job of a library director be?

To the Editor:

Was it more important for the library director to help children explore the world of books or to shelve books promptly? Was it more important to write grants and reports, which helped the Ashby library become certified and receive large state grants or file cards in a card catalog? These were choices faced regularly by the "fired" director of the Ashby library.

As a prior 45-year resident of Ashby, an avid library fan and a former trustee, I feel that the firing of Mrs. LePoer was unjustified. She worked in a crowded, outdated building at a very low salary and gave the people of Ashby many years of dedicated service.

I do not think that the trustees will be able to replace Mrs. LePoer with anyone who can do an equal or better job with the resources available. However, I would caution the board to make sure that the job is filled by a qualified person, with no political ties to the town government.

Note: According to the 2005 ranking report compiled by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, Ashby ranked 50 out of 53 towns in expenditures per capita for library salaries in its population group and 348 out of 362 communities statewide. In spite of the very low salary paid Ashby ranked above average in circulation per capita.

Judith A Kulju,

Westminster