Library announces new director
ROSA SALTER RODRIGUEZ | The Journal Gazette
The Allen County Public Library s new executive director comes from a leadership role at a Paducah, Kentucky, public library.
The local library s board of trustees Thursday afternoon voted 5-0 to hire Susan Baier, director of Paducah s McCracken County Public Library. The decision came during a virtual special meeting.
Baier will replace Greta Southard, the former Allen County library executive director, who resigned suddenly in August without explanation. Her five-year tenure was marked by controversy over the discarding of library materials and other issues.
The board conducted a nationwide search and earlier announced it had whittled prospects down to four candidates who were interviewed in December.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College President Anton Reece could have been paying homage to Charles Dickens when he summarized 2020 in a virtual address to the Paducah Rotary Club Wednesday.
âIn many ways it was the best of times and it was certainly among the most challenging times,â he said, during the noon presentation to members via Zoom.
The best of times was a reference to the collegeâs continued success in achieving state and national recognition for its commitment to excellence in education. The challenges, as you might expect, centered around COVID-19.
âCOVID has absolutely had a significant impact on so many levels, on our city, on our individuals .. and certainly our college,â Reece said.