As the C.H. Booth Library continues its pursuit for a new library director, its Board of Trustees has now called in reinforcements to help in the search.

According to C.H. Booth Library Board of Trustees President Bob Geckle, in mid-November the library decided to hire Chris Nolan Associates. The consulting group has previous experience with assisting searches for public libraries and is run by Chris Nolan, who retired as director of the Ridgefield Library.

"The search firm specializes in the library talent market and will be able [to] surface a wider pool of talent and [will] also assist in the screening process," Mr Geckle explained.

The decision to seek assistance from an outside business comes nearly five months after the director search began after former Booth Library director Karen Tatarka returned to her role as director of the Weston Public Library in July.

During that time, longtime assistant director Beryl Harrison has been serving as interim director and the library assembled a search committee that consisted of two members of the library's staff, four Board of Trustees members, and two members of the community.

Mr Geckle says that the search committee for a new director will remain active, but will now work in conjunction with Chris Nolan Associates.

Their duties will include, but are not limited to, preparing a comprehensive informational packet for applicants, creating job posting and handling communication with applicants, using a network of contacts to enhance the pool of candidates, providing screening of resumes and candidates, and participating in all interviews.

These services will come at a cost, as the firm is paid ten percent of the annual director's condensation, plus expenses.

"Our posted salary range [for library director] is $85,000 to $95,000, so the fee will be between $8,500 to $9,500, plus expenses, which will be negligible," Mr Geckle said.

He is optimistic, though, that this addition to the search committee will be what the library needs to help find a new director.

"The process is still underway," Mr Geckle said, "and we are confident we will end up with an ideal individual for the important role."

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