Library seeking replacement for Walk

Daily Reporter Staff

Spencer Public Library Director Kay Larson, who was authorized to purchase a laptop computer for patron use recently, is currently fielding a "pretty good list of candidates" for the position formerly held by Mary Walk.

Walk, who officially shelved her last children's book as the Spencer library's children's librarian on Dec. 31, 2008, was recognized for her 33 years of service at the library with a come-and-go coffee held the afternoon of Jan. 6.

Although the bulk of the 42 resumes received to date have been from Iowa candidates, Larson reported to board members that applicants for the library's youth services staff position have also been sent from Texas, Idaho, Wisconsin, New York and Wyoming. None of the resumes received have been from Spencer Public Library staff members.

According to Larson, quite a few of the applicants have teaching experience and/or early-childhood endorsements. While several have library experience, a large number are substitute teachers or daycare workers in search of full-time employment.

The application window will be closed at the end of this month, when six strong candidates will be selected for an interview. Larson said she hopes to have a new person in place by mid-February.

Since Walk's departure, Donna Stanford, the library's children's page, has taken over Tuesday morning story hours and read-after-school sessions. Circulation and Subscription Manager Sharon Joy has also offered to assist with Spencer classes of special education students who visit the library one Friday a month and with a few other classes with regular library visitors.

"No one is going to do any outreach. We don't have the personnel and the time to do that," Larson told board members.

In action taken during a meeting held Thursday night, Spencer Public Library board members authorized Larson to purchase a laptop computer for use by library patrons. Acknowledging the high number of online classes being offered, library personnel view this potential purchase as an assistance for proctored tests required by online class instructors.

Board members directed Larson to write a new policy for the laptop and its future use. The proposed policy is to be considered by the board during its Feb. 12 meeting.