Robert Gustafson wrote:

> A second reason stated by President Savran for the
> action was that "the board wanted to move in a new
> direction." 

My own opinion, though I did not hear the board say this, is
that Mary Lawson is not a visionary leader and cannot take
them in this new direction. In order to move in the new
direction dictated by the referendum passing, the library
needs a leader who can "think outside the box" (another
phrase I'm learning to loathe). Mary Lawson is better at
solidifying gains already made than pushing out in new
directions. The new direction has to be raising money for
the running of refurbished, remodeled and rebuilt libraries.
> 
> The last reason stated was that some board members
> felt they need someone who could "better communicate
> with the board, City Hall and the public." This might
> have some substance. 

I think this is the heart of the issues. Mary Lawson is not
a political animal and the times call for someone who is
very politically astute.

> I do believe the Internet controversy was not handled
> very well in the public eye, but other than a few
> library or Internet advocates did any significant
> portion of the public really care?

Both Mary Lawson and the board looked bad on this one. 
Since the staff had sent both a letter three years before
the 2001 flap, and the letter had been ignored it says
something about both board and Mary Lawson.
> 
> Is anyone communicating with anyone else at our Library? 

Good question.
> 
<Perhaps now the Board will begin searching for those
financial
> answers. Lets try to have some of those answers before
> a new director is hired, or at least make sure the new
> director knows what the hard questions are.

If they do a national search, it will take some time.  Who
will be the interim director? The three likely candidates
are Jan Feye-Stukas, but her contract is up in March which
will be a problem for the board. Ann Christiansen doesn't
want the job. Amy Ryan, who is most closely working with the
architects for the remodelling and the new library, is the
logical choice.
It will fall to the interim director to search for financial
answers.

WizardMarks, Central
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