After 41 Years, Warsaw Library Director Ann Zydek Announces Retirement
February 14, 2023 at 1:16 a.m.
After 41 Years, Warsaw Library Director Ann Zydek Announces Retirement
By Liz Shepherd-
Her announcement was made to WCPL's Board of Trustees during a goals retreat on Monday.
Board President Chris Merrill said Zydek tendered her retirement letter to him in January. Zydek intends to retire in late September, which will mark 42 years of Zydek working at WCPL. Merrill asked the board about what approach it should take in searching for a new library director.
"I intend on talking to the state library about it, get their purview on it," Merrill said. "There's a lot of things that we'll have to make choices about, whether we want to hire this out to a group to start the search, do it ourselves, rely on candidates from other sources, those sorts of things."
Zydek provided the board with a current job description for the library director position. She has a Librarian Certificate 1, the highest LC distinction, with WCPL categorized as a Class B library. In Indiana, library directors at Class B libraries must have an LC2 at minimum.
Librarian certificates are based on required credentials. For an LC1, requirements are an American Library Association-accredited Master's in Library Sciences degree with either 10 years of professional library experience or six years of professional library experience that includes three years as a director or supervising at least two staff members who hold MLS degrees.
A library's class is determined by its district's population. For an LC2, potential candidates must have an ALA-accredited master's degree with three years of professional library experience.
The board congratulated Zydek on the announcement, but described the moment as bittersweet.
Merrill said it may be a good idea to develop a subcommittee to handle details with looking for a new director. He asked board members to think on what they want the search and hiring process to look like.
"I'd like to reach out to our library resources to find out what they expect," said Merrill. "From there, we can talk about it and make decisions. I want to take it very seriously and, from a leadership perspective, be safe."
An official vote on whether to accept or reject Zydek's retirement notice will take place during the board's March meeting.
In other business, during the goals retreat session, the board discussed multiple ideas related to WCPL's strategic plan. This plan includes reimagining the library's physical space by enhancing in-person experiences through transforming traditional library spaces; streamlining in-house access to materials and services; and developing partnerships to provide programs and services that library staff could not provide on their own.
With accessing services, Zydek brought up the library's internet hotspots. One issue WCPL has addressed is hotspots being checked in by an individual, only for someone in that individual's household to immediately check out the device.
Zydek said library staff are focusing on ensuring all patrons have an equal opportunity in utilizing the available hotspots.
She noted smaller libraries have more hotspots than WCPL does but attributed that to rural areas needing greater internet access.
Zydek also asked the board to consider looking at adding more evening hours to WCPL's current schedule for programming purposes. Typically, the library is open 48 hours a week, with the hour after the building opens and an hour before close being the busiest times.
Board members also focused on promoting library outreach and services outside of the building by considering further marketing of the purchase of library cards for those who live outside of Wayne Township.
With the possibilities of expanding WCPL's online presence, Zydek said the library's adult digital collection continues to grow but that a decline in other virtual opportunities for patrons has been noticed.
Prior to the retreat, the board held its regular session. A full staff development day for March 16 was approved. Zydek said an Indiana Public Library representative is expected to attend and discuss team-building exercises with WCPL employees.
Zydek and Administrative Assistant Robin Fosnaugh both commended the Friends of the Library for purchasing new fabric chairs for WCPL's upstairs area. Zydek also told the board the FOL have expressed their comfort with interactions with Fosnaugh and said they do not hesitate to ask her any questions as they arise.
WCPL's Board of Trustees' next regular meeting is at 4 p.m. March 13.
Her announcement was made to WCPL's Board of Trustees during a goals retreat on Monday.
Board President Chris Merrill said Zydek tendered her retirement letter to him in January. Zydek intends to retire in late September, which will mark 42 years of Zydek working at WCPL. Merrill asked the board about what approach it should take in searching for a new library director.
"I intend on talking to the state library about it, get their purview on it," Merrill said. "There's a lot of things that we'll have to make choices about, whether we want to hire this out to a group to start the search, do it ourselves, rely on candidates from other sources, those sorts of things."
Zydek provided the board with a current job description for the library director position. She has a Librarian Certificate 1, the highest LC distinction, with WCPL categorized as a Class B library. In Indiana, library directors at Class B libraries must have an LC2 at minimum.
Librarian certificates are based on required credentials. For an LC1, requirements are an American Library Association-accredited Master's in Library Sciences degree with either 10 years of professional library experience or six years of professional library experience that includes three years as a director or supervising at least two staff members who hold MLS degrees.
A library's class is determined by its district's population. For an LC2, potential candidates must have an ALA-accredited master's degree with three years of professional library experience.
The board congratulated Zydek on the announcement, but described the moment as bittersweet.
Merrill said it may be a good idea to develop a subcommittee to handle details with looking for a new director. He asked board members to think on what they want the search and hiring process to look like.
"I'd like to reach out to our library resources to find out what they expect," said Merrill. "From there, we can talk about it and make decisions. I want to take it very seriously and, from a leadership perspective, be safe."
An official vote on whether to accept or reject Zydek's retirement notice will take place during the board's March meeting.
In other business, during the goals retreat session, the board discussed multiple ideas related to WCPL's strategic plan. This plan includes reimagining the library's physical space by enhancing in-person experiences through transforming traditional library spaces; streamlining in-house access to materials and services; and developing partnerships to provide programs and services that library staff could not provide on their own.
With accessing services, Zydek brought up the library's internet hotspots. One issue WCPL has addressed is hotspots being checked in by an individual, only for someone in that individual's household to immediately check out the device.
Zydek said library staff are focusing on ensuring all patrons have an equal opportunity in utilizing the available hotspots.
She noted smaller libraries have more hotspots than WCPL does but attributed that to rural areas needing greater internet access.
Zydek also asked the board to consider looking at adding more evening hours to WCPL's current schedule for programming purposes. Typically, the library is open 48 hours a week, with the hour after the building opens and an hour before close being the busiest times.
Board members also focused on promoting library outreach and services outside of the building by considering further marketing of the purchase of library cards for those who live outside of Wayne Township.
With the possibilities of expanding WCPL's online presence, Zydek said the library's adult digital collection continues to grow but that a decline in other virtual opportunities for patrons has been noticed.
Prior to the retreat, the board held its regular session. A full staff development day for March 16 was approved. Zydek said an Indiana Public Library representative is expected to attend and discuss team-building exercises with WCPL employees.
Zydek and Administrative Assistant Robin Fosnaugh both commended the Friends of the Library for purchasing new fabric chairs for WCPL's upstairs area. Zydek also told the board the FOL have expressed their comfort with interactions with Fosnaugh and said they do not hesitate to ask her any questions as they arise.
WCPL's Board of Trustees' next regular meeting is at 4 p.m. March 13.
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