Cameron Penney
The Fort Frances Public Library Technology Centre will be searching for a new chief executive officer this summer.
Current CEO Alicia Subnaik Kilgour revealed at a library board meeting last week that she will be leaving, effective July 20, for a new position within a larger library system in the Niagara region.
“While I have been thinking of moving closer to family and friends, the new job opportunity just happened to come up and the timing was good,” Subnaik Kilgour said.
“This new opportunity will also allow for further personal growth and development,” she added.
“My husband also grew up in that area so we will be returning to an area where we have connections.”
Library board chair Andrew Hallikas described the board’s reaction to the news as “one of surprise and shock, followed by sadness, some tears, and expressions of gratitude to Alicia for all that she has done for our library and our community.”
“Everyone on the board is very sad to see Alicia go,” he added.
“But at the same time understanding of the opportunity that this new position presents.”
Hallikas said the previous board chair, the late Joyce Cunningham, believed Subnaik Kilgour was “at the beginning of a lengthy and potentially rewarding career, [and] would eventually move upward.”
“Her advice to Alicia was don’t be in too much of hurry to move, don’t sell yourself short, wait for the right opportunity,” Hallikas recalled.
“This new position is the right opportunity, and I know that Joyce would be as proud of Alicia for being offered this position as the board and I are.”
The search for a new CEO already has begun, with a successor expected to be appointed by the end of July.
That individual will begin working at the library in September.
In the meantime, when Subnaik Kilgour leaves, an interim CEO will be named until the new one arrives.
Hallikas noted that during the hiring process, library services and programming won’t be interrupted.
“In terms of a new CEO, I could sum it up by saying we want another Alicia,” he remarked.
“We want a dynamic leader, a visionary, who is capable of implementing the library’s strategic plan,” Hallikas added.
“We want someone who has demonstrated their ability to be innovative and creative, but also who can reach out to diverse groups and form partnerships with them.”
Subnaik Kilgour, meanwhile, said it was a difficult decision to leave Fort Frances but cited a desire to move closer to family as a factor in her decision.
“It was difficult because this has been such a wonderful opportunity,” she remarked.
“I love the library and am very happy with the work we are doing.
“I’ll miss the kind and generous community, and the library,” Subnaik Kilgour added.
“I’ve always found this community to be very welcoming, [and] I’ve enjoyed working with the staff and I’ll miss their creative spark.”
Subnaik Kilgour was named CEO in July, 2012 and began working here that September.
“Alicia was exactly the right person for the position of the CEO of the Fort Frances Library Technology Centre at the right time,” Hallikas recalled.
“We had just moved into a brand new, state-of-the-art facility and at that time needed to begin to utilize this facility to its maximum potential in aid of benefiting our community,” he explained.
“Alicia had just the right set of skills, coupled with a deep understanding of all things library, enthusiasm, energy, and a powerful work ethic, to implement the board’s vision.”
Although Subnaik Kilgour only was with the local library for three years, she spearheaded plenty of new initiatives and programs during her time there.
“The most significant initiative has been the creation and implementation of the new Library Strategic Plan,” she noted.
“[It] has enabled us to expand our programs and services to the community, as well as open up access to library services.
“Our library is a busy, innovative, and welcoming community hub and I am very proud of that,” she enthused.
