Duane Hicks
With library CEO and chief librarian Margaret Sedgwick retiring at the end of June, the local library board is on the hunt for a new boss at the Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre.
“Margaret has been with us for more than 30 years, and we know that we simply can’t go out and find a replacement,” said board chair Joyce Cunningham, who is part of a library CEO selection committee, along with Arlene Georgeson and Coun. Rick Wiedenhoeft.
“But it is time for us to move on and find a new CEO, and that does present us with some challenges but also some opportunities, because there are a number of people in the library world now—we hope and we think—that are looking around,” she added.
“Some of them are recent graduates of the MLS—Masters in Library Science Program—and some of them are in larger libraries where they are looking for a change, a new challenge, an opportunity to move with their vision,” noted Cunningham.
“One of the things we have heard from some of the people who have checked our ads or talked to us is that they do see a marvelous opportunity here in Fort Frances.”
In addition to the “wonderful new building, which would be wonderful to work in,” Cunningham said the other thing that has impressed people from across the province is the high level of support from the community here.
“That’s indicated by the usage statistics, that’s indicated by the very generous contributions,” she explained.
“That surprises people. They just can’t believe a town of our size would have this kind of support.
“Some of these people have looked at the ads, and are surprised at where the board would support them in moving to try new things and develop,” added Cunningham.
She noted the committee attended the Ontario Library Association’s Super Conference in Toronto in February, where they promoted the town.
In addition to the merits of the library and its supporters, they conveyed the natural beauty of Borderland as well as how easy it is to get to Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, and Minneapolis.
They also promoted the relatively low cost of houses and reasonable property taxes here.
Cunningham said a great deal of thought and preparation has gone into—and continues to go into—the hiring process.
The selection committee has done extensive research and talked to many people, including consultants and other library boards that recently have gone through the process.
They spent a fair amount of time determining what the job description should say, what the new CEO would be expected to do, and what kind of person the job would appeal to—then used all of that when devising the job ad.
They also have worked on interview questions, and already made arrangements with the town’s human resource manager, Christine Ruppenstein, to conduct interviews while they observe.
Cunningham said the committee did consider soliciting a consultant for advice, but found it was out of their price range.
But while she was attending Super Conference, Cunningham entered a draw and won it. The prize: a few hours of time with consultants, which the committee has since used to get them to review the job description and offer other advice.
They also have received help from Library Service North and retiring Community Services manager George Bell.
The job ad is posted in today’s edition of the Times. It also has been posted on the library’s webpage (library.fort-frances.com), the town’s website (www.fort-frances.com), and on various websites where librarians know to look for jobs.
The deadline to apply is April 30.
The selection committee then will review what it has received and do preliminary interviews with some applicants, either face-to-face (if the applicant is local), by phone, or by Skype.
After developing a shortlist, the committee will move on to face-to-face interviews with the finalists.
“We want them to see our town, see our library, and interact a bit more with the board, and possibly the staff, so that we know it would be a good fit for that person and for us,” reasoned Cunningham.
Sedgwick’s last day of work is June 30, so ideally the new person should be chosen and the contract signed by the end of June, she added.
Cunningham conceded that Sedgwick will be leaving some big shoes to fill, noting the Ontario library community is familiar with Sedgwick for her excellent reputation—her most recent accolade being named Public Librarian of the Year for 2011 by the Ontario Library Boards’ Association.
“People are aware of the challenge and whoever comes in will be different,” she stressed. “Margaret came here over 30 years ago, with her degree, and she chose to stay and has taken us in this direction.
“Maybe we will get somebody who is different, but will do the same thing for us again.
“I can hope,” added Cunningham.
She said Sedgwick is wrapping up some “loose ends,” such as revising library policies, before her replacement arrives—most notably, ensuring the good relationship that has been fostered between the library board and town staff and council gets put down on paper so that when the new CEO comes, that doesn’t change.
But some other tasks, such as a new strategic plan, are being left for the individual to undertake, both so they can get to know the job and the community, as well as decide the direction they want to go in.
