Minutes of the Board of Library Commissioners - September 27, 2002 

Time : 10:00 A.M.

Present : Joseph S. Hopkins, Chairman; John E. Arnold, Vice Chairman; Dr. Em Claire Knowles, Secretary; Deborah Hill Bornheimer; Walter L. Cameron, Jr.; John E. Henderson; Elia D. Marnik

Absent : Edward L. Bertorelli; Robert F. Mooney

Staff Present:

Robert Maier, Acting Director; Dianne Carty, Head of State Aid and Data Coordination; Barbara Glazerman, Head of Operations and Budget; Maureen Killoran, Head of Public Library Advisory/Government Liaison; William Morton, Assistant to the Director

Observers Present:

Constance Clancy, Chair, Search Committee for the Directo

Call to Order

Chairman Hopkins called the meeting to order at 10:00 A.M.

He stated that the purpose of this Special Meeting of the Board of Library Commissioners is to interview for the position of the Director. He relayed that when the former Director Keith Fiels resigned his position to become Executive Director of the American Library Association, the Board established a Search Committee to screen candidates for the position. Commissioners John Arnold and Em Claire Knowles represented the Board on the Search Committee. Other members of the Search Committee and their affiliation are: Krista McLeod, President of Massachusetts Library Association; Mary Kronholm, President of Massachusetts Library Trustee Association; Kim Charlson, Regional Librarian of the Talking Book Library and Machine Lending Agency at Perkins School for the Blind; Cynthia Roach, Administrator of the Southeastern Massachusetts Regional Library System; Debby Conrad, Executive Director of the SAILS automated library network; Ruth Kowal, Director of Operations at the Boston Public Library who represented the Library of Last Recourse; James Sutton, Chair of the State Advisory Council on Libraries; Anne Larsen Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners staff; and Constance Clancy, President of Massachusetts Friends of Libraries, who chairs the committee.

Commissioner Arnold, who presented Ms Clancy's report on the Search Committee recommendations regarding candidates for Agency Director at the September 12, 2002 monthly business meeting, reminded the Commissioners that eighteen applications were received for the position of Director for the MBLC. After careful review by the entire Search Committee, twelve candidates were thanked for having applied and six semifinalists were selected and invited for interviews. They were also asked to prepare a one-to-two page response to a question dealing with their vision of what libraries may be like in another five years. Two of this group reconsidered their application and declined the Search Committee's offer.

Commissioner Arnold reported that the entire Search Committee met on September 4, 5, and 6 to conduct interviews with the remaining four candidates. All were asked the same questions and were given an opportunity to raise their own questions. Responses were rated and discussion took place. An official vote was taken and two candidates were selected for final interviews with the Board. They were Robert C. Maier and Joyce C. Swonger. Commissioner Arnold stressed that both of these finalists are well qualified. Both possess strong managerial skills and have state library agency experience and the education needed to assume the responsibilities at the agency. Commissioner Arnold also relayed that both candidates stated their availability for final interviews on Friday, September 27, 2002.

Chairman Hopkins informed the Commissioners that, following the September 12^th Board meeting, he was notified by the Chair of the Search Committee, Constance Clancy, that finalist Joyce C. Swonger withdrew her candidacy for Director as she had taken another position. He stated that, because both finalists were well qualified, it was the consensus of the Board to interview Mr. Maier, the remaining finalist. He stated that, following the interview, the Commissioners will discuss next steps.

Chairman Hopkins requested that Mr. Maier be called into the room for the interview. He welcomed Mr. Maier and opened the interview with a brief discussion of Mr. Maier's response to the question: "Looking ahead five years, what do you envision for the changes in and the development of library services?" and invited the Commissioners to phrase questions relevant to the response.

Mr. Maier's responded to questions from the Commissioners and discussed the significant role of the computer, the use of databases, and the creation of a new group of users of electronic information resources not normally connected to a library. He also elaborated on the importance of those elements to the current mission of the agency.

In response to a query from Chairman Hopkins, Mr. Maier stated the recommendations and program re-adjustments he would make to preserve and enhance those elements in this time of budget reductions and fiscal uncertainty.

Responding to a question from Commissioner Arnold, Mr. Maier elaborated on the steps he would take to provide direction and leadership to the library community, the Board of Library Commissioners, the Agency staff, the public and the Legislature during the current climate of fiscal uncertainty.

In response to questions from Commissioners Bornheimer and Cameron, Mr. Maier described his management style and the strengths he would bring to the position of Director.

At Commissioner Henderson's request, Mr. Maier summarized his career as a librarian and administrator and detailed some of the contributions he would like to make as head of the state library agency. Mr. Maier concluded by thanking the Commissioners for the opportunity to interview for the position of Director.

Chairman Hopkins called a brief recess at 12:15 P.M.

Chairman Hopkins reconvened the meeting at 12:30 P.M.

The Commissioners engaged in discussion of Mr. Maier's responses to interview questions and his qualifications to become Director of the Board of Library Commissioners.

Responding to a query from the Commissioners, Constance Clancy, Chair of the Search Committee, relayed that Joyce Swonger had informed her that she took another position and withdrew her candidacy because of the low salary for this position relative to the cost of living in Massachusetts.

The Commissioners engaged in further discussion. Following discussion:

Commissioner Marnik moved and Commissioner Cameron seconded that the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners offer the position of Director to Robert C. Maier pending the review of background reference checks, and authorize the Chairman to begin negotiations with Mr. Maier to be completed prior to the October 3, 2002 Board meeting.

The Board voted approval.

Chairman Hopkins requested that Mr. Maier and available staff join the meeting.

He announced that Mr. Maier has been offered the position whereupon Mr. Maier received a round of applause from the Commissioners and the staff.

Mr. Maier expressed his thanks to the Commissioners and stated his intent to work collegially with the Board and its staff.

Chairman Hopkins commended the Search Committee on the process and the professionalism of its work. He reiterated Commissioner Arnold's statement that all committee members engaged in the discussions and gave serious consideration to each applicant. He stated his and the other Commissioners deep appreciation for their service on the Search Committee and noted that it was a very special effort given the limiting financial circumstances of the state. Chairman Hopkins noted that the Search Committee's deliberations and assessments of the candidates were thoughtful, perceptive and professional, a model for the task. He extended the Board's appreciation and thanks for a job well done.

Chairman Hopkins informed the Commissioners that the work of the Search Committee is completed and the Committee is discharged.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Chairman Hopkins adjourned the September 27, 2002 Special Meeting of the Board of Library Commissioners at 1:15 P.M.

Dr. Em Claire Knowles
Secretary