The Township of Emo is once again searching for a new CEO/librarian following Mellisa Gallagher’s resignation after just six months on the job.
Gallagher started in the role last March when the township hired her to take over the position that had been vacant since the end of December 2025, when previous CEO/librarian Nick Donaldson stepped down after four years.
“I sincerely thank the Emo Public Library for the opportunity to work at the library,” Gallagher said in an email to The Times. “I have been welcomed wholeheartedly by the community. I have enjoyed getting to know the residents and all the patrons.”
Although she had moved from Atikokan with plans to make the library better than ever before by applying for increased funding that would allow for new community engagement programs, Gallagher decided to set those plans aside and move on, citing differences between the town and the library board.
“We have embarked on a lot of possible partnerships and begun the groundwork for a promising strategic plan. The library has some great potential for the future.”
Library board chair Lisa Teeple and Municipal CAO Crystal Gray did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication.
Residents of Emo will fortunately not have to experience another library closure, as Gallagher plans to continue serving as CEO/librarian until a replacement is found to fill her role.
“I will continue to work for the Emo Library as long as needed until a new CEO/librarian has been selected,” Gallagher said. “The community deserves to have a library and all the services we have worked so hard to establish.”
Gallagher said it was a pleasure working with the library board and is meeting with its chair later in the week to discuss the future direction the library will be moving.
“I truly do not wish to interrupt this needed resource for library patrons,” she said. “I will coordinate any future work arrangements with the library board to accommodate the needs of the library wherever possible.”
According to the Township of Emo’s website, the ideal candidate will need to be prepared to take responsibility for all aspects of library administration. Among the librarian’s duties and responsibilities are the administration of fundraising activities, identification of options for generating additional revenue, managing circulation and developing and and delivering programs for adults, youth and children.
Applications are to be submitted no later than Aug. 18 to Crystal Gray, Emo’s Chief Administrative Officer and Clerk-Treasurer, at township@emo.ca in a single PDF file.
A complete job description and full list of duties are available at the EMO Municipal Office or www.emo.ca.
