Embracing Change

There has been a brief hiatus, with the last post being done while at Library Camp East 2.0. No, I did not run out of things to say, indeed I have a very long list.

However, as some of my readers who are either in Connecticut or on ALA Council know, I have accepted a new position.

As of December 4, 2006, I will be the Library Director (I think that is the title) of the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. After six years as City Librarian, I am leaving Bridgeport for a station further west.

The last ten days have been a whirlwind. I went for the interview in Eau Claire on September 29. (Note that was a Friday.) On Monday morning (early) I was called an told that I was a finalist. Well, by 4:30 pm Eastern Time, I was offered the position. After two days of negotiating the salary and other compensation, I accepted. It took a bit for me to contact all of the Library Board members and tell them, and then break the news to my staff. All this was done while at Boy Scout camp as a staff member of Wood Badge Course NE-II-163. Whew! Monday was a holiday here, and Tuesday I announced to the library community. The avalanche of emailed congratulations was overwhelming to me.

So.....On Wisconsin.

One of the cool parts of the trip was seeing Rochelle Hartman, and having dinner with her boss, Kelly, the "Goddess Director" (or is that Director Goddess) of the LaCrosse Public Library. You can see the photo Rochelle's husband took of the three of us on my Flickr account. [And yes, Rochelle is having more fun than would appear.]

So, the fun of moving begins. More to follow!