News Local/State

Champaign Library Starting Over In Search For Director

 
The front entrance to the Champaign Public Library.

The front entrance to the Champaign Public Library. Travis Stansel/Illinois Public Media

The Champaign Public Library is starting over in its search for a new director.  Library Board President Martin Wolske says the board was unable to come to an agreement with the person they selected among the four finalists vying for the job. That search started last fall with 27 applicants. 

Wolske says the board decided to reopen its search after meeting in closed session Monday night.

“It’s not a reflection on the quality of the candidates by any means, but both of us have to have a clear sense that there’s a good match here, and after ongoing negotiations back and forth, we just came to the conclusion that it wasn’t quite the right fit for who we are as Champaign," he said.

Wolske says the library will continue to work with the search firm of Bradbury Associates/ Gossage Sager Associates, under its original fee of $17,000.

Donna Pittman, who’s been with the Champaign Public Library since 1989, will continue as interim director for the time being. 

The library’s prior director, Marsha Grove, retired last month.