Library Board Says Guidelines Were Followed In Todd’s Selection

The Crawford County Library District’s board of trustees said it followed all guidelines when selecting Linda Todd to replace Kyle Hofstetter.

Hofstetter resigned from the board due to an increased workload in his personal life.

The trustees submitted Todd as its nominee in May.

District 1 Commissioner Rob Cummings and District 2 Commissioner Jared Boast voted to support Todd’s appointment, while Presiding Commissioner Steve Black opposed.

Black had motioned during the May 23 meeting to reject Todd’s appointment, but was unable to garner a second from Cummings or Boast.

Black questioned why Cathy Boero — one of three applicants, along with William Phillips — had not been appointed since she came with librarian experience.

Black contacted the state librarian’s office and said he was told that it was “odd” that a person with library experience wasn’t selected.

In a statement to the commission, trustee Jimmy West said that after last year’s confusion with board appointments, they were given a list of guidelines to follow when seeking applicants.

“The board followed these guidelines this year to the ’t’ and received letters of interest from three applicants,” West said.

Todd came highly recommended by Hofstetter, who felt she would be beneficial in helping the board continue to fill its mission statement of strengthening the communities, providing free and equal access to quality material, information and technology that supports lifelong learning “of all patrons in an atmosphere that is welcoming and respectful.”

Last year, the commission said that all county boards must submit reappointments 100 days prior to expiration.

Cummings and Boast agreed that the library board followed those guidelines.

The library board submitted Tena Slovensky and Carol Lea to new four-year terms, which was criticized and forced the commission to put in new guidelines.

In its statement, the library board said that it has expanded from six part-time employees and part-time hours at its locations to 14 employees, six of which are full-time.

The board also has done a major remodel of the Steelville branch and the circulation and program attendance are at all-time highs.

“We were able to accomplish these milestones because we have a board that works well together and has no agenda other than to continue to provide exemplary library services to our county,” West said.