The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
On the verge of transformation
Russell Library seeking new leader who can meet unique needs
MIDDLETOWN — Stakeholders are conducting a national search for the next individual who will lead a library in the center of a thriving city with a distinct demographic — and usher it into the future.
The next director will replace Matt Poland, who retired in October after 18 months of leading the Russell Library at 123 Broad St. Nineteen-year director Arthur Meyers retired in February 2016.
“Middletown’s landscape ranges from urban downtown to residential outskirts. Its people come from a wide variety of backgrounds and walks of life,” said Brandie Doyle, interim director and CEO. “Our next director must embrace its unique brand of diversity in order to build a library that is responsive to the interests, needs and potential that exist in such a dynamic, small city.”
Doyle took over when Poland left. She came on board in May 2011 as the business and career resource librarian.
“She is a true professional and loves being in the library and doing the work of the library,” said Geen Thazhampallath, former library trustees president and current board member. “We have a lot of trust and faith in her.”
Vernon Hills, Ill.-based John Keister & Associates is conducting the search for a “dedicated and forward-thinking leader,” according to the job posting.
“We want to cast a wide net to get the best possible candidate with an eye on a person who will fit with the Middletown community and the needs of the Russell Library as it is today, and what it could be 10, 15, 20 years from now,” said Thazhampallath.
Thazhampallath, the city’s parking director, said Poland instituted some changes during his tenure which the new director can build upon.
“When he came aboard, he knew he was only making a five-year commitment. He told us this would be the last stop in his career and he was happy to come on board,” he said. “It seemed to be exactly what we needed at the time.”
After Poland, who came from the Hartford Public Library, experienced a personal loss, he made the decision to end his career, Thazhampallath said.
“He made a lot of positive steps resetting the organization and improving technology in order to get Russell Library ready for the next set of users in the community,” he added.
When the library board established its strategic plan in 2013, it shifted focus to establishing a “bridge to the future” with a brand-new mission.
“Russell Library will be a leader in the community with a focus on literacy and learning, success and achievement and intercultural bridging,” according to the report. “It will be the go-to place for families, friends, groups and individual users, fun and inviting, welcoming, comfortable and convenient for all.”
Middletown has a thriving arts scene, home to organizations such as Oddfellows Playhouse, The Buttonwood Tree, Wesleyan University Center for the Arts, Kidcity Children’s Museum, Wesleyan Potters, Greater Middletown Chorale and Greater Middletown Concert Association. It also boasts a Main Street known colloquially as “restaurant row,” featuring cuisines from around the world.
All of that culture will be reflected in the city’s library, which will be undergoing a transformation in the near future, according to its strategic plan.
“We will be efficient and financially stable, with an updated building infrastructure,” according to the plan.
Doyle said she’d like to see a person who had experience constructing a new library — something that’s on the horizon. Such a director would be familiar with writing grants, obtaining other sources of funding and seeing a library through renovations and a substantial facility overhaul.
“The individual will have or be able to develop an understanding of how government financing works and be an advocate for advancing the library in the context of a shrinking state and local budgets,” Thazhampallath said.
Doyle said the institution needs a leader with a special set of qualifications.
“I decided not to throw my hat in the ring,” she said. “I know we need to move toward building a new library, which requires a great deal of knowledge of various city and state entities to try to pull together funding for that.”
Patrons may not realize the stately brownstone library is actually a cluster of different buildings never intended to be joined together.
“Frances Russell established Russell Library in 1875 in memory of her husband, Samuel. The Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity had built the building on the corner of Broad and Court streets in 1834, and Mrs. Russell purchased and remodeled it in the Roman Gothic style,” according to a history of the building on the website.
It opened as a public library April 5, 1876.
“In 1930, the city helped to add the Hubbard wing, and in 1972, completed the remodeled Children’s Library, originally the First Federal Saving and Loan Association of Meriden, built in 1965,” according to Russelllibrary.org.
In 1983, the library was again expanded. In 1997, it bought an adjacent building for technical and administrative services, staff offices, and room for the Literacy Volunteers of Central Connecticut. In 1999, a second adjacent building was purchased for possible future expansion.
“Certain pieces will stay: the church building (where the children’s activity room is) and the Hubbard Room (where programs are held),” Doyle said.
New technology requires a single, updated facility with the resources to handle the demands of a 21stcentury digital society.
“There are not sufficient outlets to power devices, laptops and chargers, which is required in a modern library,” Doyle said.
Once the firm settles on a final candidate and he or she is offered the position, Doyle will then return to her previous role as chief public services officer, which is essentially the assistant director position, she said.
Russell Library is different from other such entities, Thazhampallath said.
“It has a public service library component to it. The candidate should have some level of understanding of how a urban library works,” he added. “Middletown is part suburban and part urban. There is a delicate balance between running a public library in both worlds. It presents very unique challenges. We need a national firm to find more candidates who have those skills.”
The Russell Library is a “quasi-private entity,” Thazhampallath said.
“Almost 99 percent of its funding comes from the city. We want to remain independent. We’re not a municipal department. A person has to come in with that understanding,” he said.
The salary range for the position is between $95,000 and $137,000, based on experience. Applications are due by Jan. 29. Those interested should send a resume and three professional references to middletown@johnkeister.com. For information, visit johnkeister.com/middletown or call 847-955-0541.