Elaine Paulette this morning announced plans to retire in April as director of the Wood County District
Public Library.
Paulette has been director since 1987 and joined the library staff in 1975.
“It feels like this is the right time for me, as well as for the
library. We have fabulous volunteers on each of the boards, and a
fantastic staff. This “peach” of a job will certainly
attract many qualified and wonderful applicants,” Paulette wrote in an
e-mail sent late Tuesday night to members of the committee that worked
on the levy last fall.
Trustees were in the midst of an executive session to discuss personnel issues at press time late this
morning.
“Elaine’s greatest strength has been her superb way as a ‘change agent,’
said Kathy East, who retired two years ago as assistant director or
head of children’s services. “In her years the library thrived – tech
developments, strategic planning, establishment of the Library
Foundation, the bond issue for the building renovation – and upgrades at
the Walbridge Branch as well as the new bookmobile; Woodlink, the
continuing strength of the Friends of the Library, Community Reads, and
of course, the success of the recent levy.”
East, who was hired by Paulette, said that as director Paulette knew
that change was needed and “we all needed to ‘buy into it.’”
Earlier in the meeting the importance of the levy passage was brought
home when its was announced that state library officials have said they
expect at least a 15 percent reduction in state support from 2010
levels. That would mean approximately $100,000 less in state funds. The
levy will generate about $1 million a year for the library.
Board President Brian Paskvan said he expects most of the reduction to
show up in the last six months of 2011 because the new state budget will
take effect July 1.
Fiscal officer Linda Joseph said the January check from the state was $111,410, slightly more than was
received in January 2010.
“It hardly seems possible that so much time has passed,” Paulette
continued in her e-mail. “This has been my career and my second family
as well. I appreciate the many people I have worked with and the people
we have served more than words can say. I have been privileged to work
with each of you, and I will certainly miss you. The support of the
board members, staff and community has been phenomenal.”
east said Paulette always gave credit to her predecessor, Marion Parker,
for putting the BG library on Main Street and making it an integral
part of the vibrant downtown.
“She (Paulette) loves this library and I think enjoyed being the
director, and she aimed to have all who worked at WCDPL love the library
as well,” East said.
Trustees also:
• Formally accepted a long list of gifts received in 2010. “These are
especially impressive and heartwarming because of the other ways people
have donated to fund raisers, the levy campaign and purchasing books and
then donating them to the library after they have read them,” Paulette
said.
• Reelected Paskvan as president and elected Jane Robb as vice president and Chet Marcin as secretary.