On Friday [April 4], the Springfield-Greene County Library District, under the strong and innovative leadership of Executive Director Annie Busch, will open its ninth library branch.

The ribbon will be cut on the 3,100-square-foot Park Central Branch Library in the former Kresge building on the southwest side of Springfield’s Square at 5 p.m. during the popular First Friday Artwalk. It will be a “grand” grand opening featuring talented local folk—ballroom dancers Anne and Andy Wall, guitarist Lyal Strickland, vocalist Katie McCroskey and a rockin’ band, The Crabapples.

This week also begins another momentous event in the 103-year-old history of the Library District. The Board of Trustees, the governing body of the now-nine-branch system, will begin the process of filling the vacancy that will be created when Busch, after 23 years of service, retires in January 2009.

A series of public forums will be held this spring for the purpose of gathering public input on the qualities needed for the ninth leader of the library system. The first one will be Wednesday [April 2] at 12:30 p.m. at the Midtown Carnegie Branch Library.

The forums, casual sessions moderated by a board and a staff member, will continue at various library branches through May 7.

To give you a better idea of the duties and responsibilities of the director, here are excerpts from a draft of a job description:

• The Library director is responsible for identifying, planning, organizing, executing and evaluating an effective program of library services for the citizens of Greene County.
• Skills needed include knowledge of and competencies in technological advances, effective performance in supervision, training, communications, financial management, budget preparation, policy development, sensitivity, leadership ability, honesty, integrity and a vision for the future.

The Board plans to begin the nationwide search for Busch’s replacement this spring. Interviews will be held this summer followed by another series of forums in which the leading candidates will meet the public and staff. By fall, the final decision should be made.

Schedule of Public Personnel Forums

• April 2, 12:30 p.m., Midtown Carnegie Branch
• April 8, 10 a.m., Republic Branch
• April 9, 10 a.m., Brentwood Branch
• April 16, 10 a.m., Library Station
• April 24, 10 a.m., Library Center
• April 29, 10 a.m., Willard Branch
• April 29, 5:30 p.m., Library Center
• April 30, 5:30 p.m., Library Station
• May 7, 2:30 p.m., Fair Grove Branch