Library Board Prepares to Search for a New Director
The East Lansing Public Library Board of Trustees is moving forward with its search for a new library director.
After former Library Director Kevin King resigned in July, board Trustee Shawn Nicholson drafted a Request For Proposal (RFP) seeking firms to lead the director search. At the Sept. 17 Library Board of Trustees meeting, the board passed a motion to approve the RFP after making a few edits.
“I’d like more details around advertising,” Trustee Amy Zaagman said. “‘Where are you going to promote the opening, and is that an additional cost that we would cover?’”
Zaagman also emphasized the need for a full background check, even if that means paying more.
“I think in this day and age, background checks are really important…we need to make sure it includes a social media search and a courts search,” Zaagman said.
While it is unclear how much the search process will cost, Interim Library Director Chrissie Evaskis-Garrett gave the board an estimate.
“You’re looking at a minimum of $55,000 to $60,000,” she said. “From there, it could go anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000. But obviously when you get to a certain point that’s way out of any reasonable budget, and you [the board] would have to look at that and decide.”
The RFP is expected to open at the start of October. Search firms will have a one-month window to respond. The board hopes to pick a firm to lead the search for the new library director in November.
The search process can be lengthy. The library spent about eight months between directors before hiring King in 2024.
Library board picks Shelley Boyd to fill vacant seat.
After conducting interviews with five candidates for a seat on the library board that was vacated by former Trustee Pamela Smith, the board chose to recommend Shelley Boyd fill the seat. If City Council approves the recommended appointment, Boyd’s seat will run through June 30, 2030.
“The selection process went really well… myself, Trustee [Polly] Synk, and Councilwoman [Kerry Ebersole] Singh came to an agreement that the candidate of choice is Shelley Boyd, [who has] lots of board experience,” Board President Ameenah Asante said.
“We had excellent candidates,” Asante continued. “It was really inspiring to see the people come forward and want to serve.”
The board unanimously approved the motion to recommend Boyd as its trustee. Her appointment will likely be approved by City Council at a meeting in the near future.