Community Corner

Library Board Moves Forward with One Library Director Candidate

The Ferndale Public Library whittled its list from 25 resumes to four interviewees to one contender, Lapeer District Library Director Kate Pohjola.

The Board of Trustees is moving forward with one candidate for permanent library director: Kate Pohjola, who currently serves as director at the Lapeer District Library.

A search committee, which was put together shortly after the , reduced 25 resumes to four interviewees.

It was comprised of two staff members, two board members and two Friends of the Ferndale Library, started meeting in February. The board choose to keep the library director search only to Michigan – the last one was done nationally through a consultant.

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"This was absolutely easier," Ferndale Public Library Board of Trustees member Darlene Johnson-Bignotti said. "Our staff, the Friends (of the Ferndale Library), our board know this library and this community better than a consultant."

On May 31, the library board interviewed Riverview Public Library Director Kirk Borger and Dearborn Heights Supervising Librarian Mary Howard. On June 1, the board interviewed West Bloomfield Public Library Branch Manager Stephen Ketcham and Pohjola.

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"All four are strong candidates, all have the competencies we need," said Library Board of Trustees Vice President Jim O'Donnell. "An important part of the hiring process was hearing from staff and how the person could fit in our community and our library. Kate really impressed me. ... She had an ease and flow in her communication style."

Pohjola has been the Lapeer library director since April 2005. Prior to that, she was a Warren Public Library brand supervisor for 6 years. Pohjola attended Berkley High School, attended Central Michigan University for her bachelor's degree in political science and then went on to Wayne State University, receiving her master's in library and information science.

O'Donnell said it was important to the board and the staff that they found someone to "fit" in with the community, to be able to have the library work with the residents and community organizations as well as staff.

"Especially the staff," he said. "They were heavily involved in the search committee process. What they told the board (Wednesday) had a big impact on us."

The staff, after each interview, met with the candidate for an hour.

"They said fit and style are critical for our library director," O'Donnell said. "What we were looking for is a fit with Ferndale's unique characteristics, someone who is at ease with a diverse population."

But, O'Donnell said nothing is finalized. The Ferndale Public Library will hold a meet-and-greet with Pohjola at 7 p.m. at the library June 14. Afterward she will go into a second interview.

O'Donnell said the board wants to hold the meet-and-greet to observe the candidate in an informal setting.

"It'll be a chance for (the board) to view the candidate in an informal way, away from the formal interview," he said.

The board is expected to make a decision June 18 on whether to move forward with Pohjola or schedule more interviews. Though the library board is moving forward with Pohjola, O'Donnell said that the board hasn't eliminated any candidates yet.

"We were impressed with all of the candidates," O'Donnell said. "I'm confident that the end results of this process will produce a director we, as the library and community, can be proud of."

Head of reference , while a permanent library director was sought.


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