Tonight, Mon. Feb. 11, the public is invited to partake in a forum featuring the four candidates selected as the next potential executive director of Charleston County Public Library (CCPL). The finalists are currently in town for the forum, in-person interviews, and visits with staff. The forum, held at the auditorium in the Main Branch (68 Calhoun St.), kicks off at 6 p.m.
The four finalists for the exec director position are Angela Craig, Center City Leader of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library; Jennifer Patterson, Director of Albemarle Regional Library System; Giovanni Tairov, Director of Livingston Parish Library System; and Jeffrey Trzeciak, Director of the Newark Public Library.
The national search started last December when former executive director Nicolle Davies had to step down due to family reasons.
In a press release Andy Brack, CCPL Board of Trustees chairman (and CP columnist) said: “These candidates are some of the best and brightest leaders in the library world and we are thrilled to have them vying for our top spot. We are confident these finalists have the ability to continue the exciting positive trajectory of our library system in enriching the lives of our community.”
The Charleston County library has been making big changes in its branches over the past few years. In 2014, voters approved a $108 million referendum that raised annual property taxes for the purpose of revamping area libraries. As Adam Manno wrote in his cover story, “Checking in,” five new libraries are set to be built as part of the revamp, and each existing branch will see some kind of renovation.
Last October, before Davies stepped down from her position, she spoke to the importance of libraries as public spaces. She said, “We haven’t been shushing for 15 years. They’re not repositories of knowledge that are guarded and gated.”
Stay up to date with CCPL’s renovations, events, and more online at ccpl.org.
Love Best of Charleston? Help the Charleston City Paper keep Best of Charleston going every year with a donation. Or sign up to become a member of the Charleston City Paper club.