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Home My WebLink About12-09-2024 Fairhope Public Library Board of Trustees Minutes Fairhope Public Library Board of Trustees Special Called Meeting on Monday, December 9, 2024 Giddens Conference Room Called to order at 4:01pm by Chair Anne Johnson ATTENDANCE: Andy Parvin, Randal Wright, Dan Stankoski, and Debra Langham After calling the meeting to order, Chair Johnson stated the reason for the meeting was to vote on the new Library Director for Fairhope Public Library. Chair Johnson appointed Trustee Randal Wright to lead a Search Committee to find a new Director, in line with Alabama Public Library Service guidelines. Trustee Wright discussed the process for developing a Search Committee and soliciting applications for the position. The Search Committee included another Board member, a staff member, and two members of Fairhope community. The two Board members met with the Fairhope City Human Resources director to follow city and general practice hiring guidelines. The Search Committee drafted a job description which was posted for two weeks on a nationwide municipal city website, the Alaba ma Library Association job listings and Fairhope library website and social media. Five candidates from 3 different states applied for the position, four meeting minimum requirements including a master’s in library and information science, 10 years’ experience in a library with 5 years of supervisory experience. The Search Committee met to review all applications creating a matrix ranking system. The Committee decided to interview th e top candidate, Robert Gourlay, the current Assistant Director of the Fairhope Public Library. The Committee unanimously decided to recommend he be given the position of Library Director. Trustee Wright moved to offer the position to Mr. Gourlay, a second motion was presented and the vote by the full Board was unanimous. Mr. Gourlay was informed of the Board’s decision. A contract of employment, effective January 1, 2025, will be drawn up in line with Fairhope city contracts. The meeting adjourned at 4:37pm.