Atkinson library director interviews for Mass. job
By Katie Farrell
Staff writer
AMESBURY, Mass. — The one remaining candidate for library director told trustees last night that she has a "lifelong love of libraries" and is passionate about the rewarding career choice she has chosen.
Kathleen "Katie" McDonough, current director of Kimball Library in Atkinson, N.H., was interviewed for half an hour by a library trustees subcommittee consisting of acting Director Patty DiTullio, Chief of Staff Kendra Amaral and Trustees Laura Buckley, Sydney Baily-Gould, Johanna Kimball and Jeannine Bailey.
The group asked a range of questions seeking to determine her vision of a public library's role, her background in fiscal management and budget preparation, her experience with library building projects, and her background with professional development and transition.
"I have a lifelong love of libraries," McDonough told the committee, adding that she first began working in a library as a teenager.
The town has been searching for a new library director since the death of Marc Lankin in July. McDonough was one of four candidates the trustees intended to interview, but the three others have since dropped out.
McDonough has a master's degree in library science. Her career includes time spent at the Library of Congress and the New Hampshire State Library. She has been director of Kimball Library for almost five years and helped that community through two efforts to gain approval for a library building project.
That project was approved by voters in 2007 after an initial failed attempt, and construction is now underway.
While working for 10 years at the New Hampshire State Library, McDonough said her role there was to work with libraries planning renovations or additions.
Serving as Atkinson's director during the effort to get the expansion project approved was "a real learning experience," McDonough said, and she worked with the library building committee, the library building consultant and the trustees. Later, a joint task force was formed by the trustees and the Board of Selectmen to get the project approved.
The trustees and the Friends of the Library are two "key groups" for a facility's success, McDonough said. As director, it's important to make sure the trustees have the resources they need and that they understand their role.
http://www.eagletribune.com/punewsnh/local_story_039061620.html
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ATKINSON's Vietnam HONOR ROLL as VOTED and PASSED by 2005 Town Meeting and re-approved at Special Town Meeting Sept. 12
EDITORIAL-
A voice of compassion, an example of fairness and reasonable government.
One who believes in the strength and comfort you, your children and your family can draw from good government leadership.
A person who knows Atkinson is our home -- our most important possession that must be preserved and protected through fair taxes and sound community planning and where our children must be safe to grow to become a new generation of leaders.
One who knows that the citizens of Atkinson are all neighbors with her leadership to be dedicated and responsive to all.
One who believes that when those from Atkinson have served our nation and honors are deserved, those honors must be given.
In Valerie Tobin, we now have a leader we know we can entrust with these responsibilities because they are part of her character.
It is our honor to endorse Valerie for election to Atkinson’s Board of Selectmen.
Just a note for those who wish to count the deer.
In January 08 this blog had 16,000 hits and 1,500 unique visitors (for the month).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
In 2007 this blog had over 100,000 hits and 5,750 unique visitors (for the year).
EDITORIAL-
"I offer nothing more than simple facts, plain arguments, and common sense . . ." [TP, 1776]
We take no small measure of umbrage at such a hostile official act against this BLOG’s patron. Therefore, a timely Editorial comment is both appropriate and necessary.
Discussion of Atkinson’s financial direction, from any viewpoint, is fundamental and encouraged and we will always attempt to limit and correct errors.
However, Righteous indignation towards purported error of such inconsequential nature is not appropriate.
The ENTIRE car deal is problematic. If it was caused by poor judgement, improper exercise of authority, neglect or mistake or even specious reasoning, this will never trump the facts that the entire questionable transaction started and ended within a very small circle of confidants.
We find the entire circumstances surrounding the disposition of the police Cruiser highly irregular at the least and the "explanations" somewhat trifling and exhaustive of our intellect.
Mr. Consentino: It’s time to go. Being Chief of Atkinson’s Police Department is NOT a birthright. That is a fabled legend of yesteryear.
Historically in Atkinson, police chief appointments were made "under the hand of the selectmen" for terms of one year at a time, as was also the case in the beginning of Mr. Consentino’s assorted and discontinuous stream of appointments to this position.
Your only remaining credential established on a claim of indispensability has faded.
So time is neigh. Plan a graceful exit, Clean out your desk, Accept the gratitude and tearful sentiments from some. We plan no editorial recriminations. It is time. Thank you for your service, We wish you a long and happy retirement. Bon Voyage.
LETTER
"To All Atkinson Residents,
I am writing to ask for your help. A member of the Atkinson Police Department needs our help. I am here to ask for your help in Corporal John Lapham's fight for his life. As you are aware, John has been diagnosed with Leukemia. He has been once again hospitalized with an infection that is threatening his life. He is one of the bravest people that I have ever met. He has never asked of anything from the residents of the town. Now is our chance to step up and help both him and his family out. As everyone is aware John has been out of work for a few months. His family has been busy helping John to get better. He needs our help, and I am hoping that this town can step up to the plate and help. From the moment that I met John, I have admired him. He does alot, but never asks for anything in return. He has helped so many people in this town. I for one am one of those people. Please help him.
There is a fund set-up in his name at TDBanknorth in Plaistow. Any amount will help John, while he is out of work. It would be great if this town could help ease a burden off his wife.
Thank You
Also if anyone would like to send a card, please address it to:
John Lapham
c/o Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Ctr.
Inpatient mail
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
United States
Please show Corporal John Lapham, that this community can stand up and show our support to those in need. I for one, miss John and can not wait until he can get better and return to work. Please show him that we support him. "
8 comments:
Whoopie. Now that we're stuck paying for this place she had to have, she's leaving. It must have been really important to her. Good riddance.
Though I find the library staff very friendly I never felt the same way about the current librarian. As for the excess of the NEW library, it is like building a buggy whip factory next to a Henry Ford plant in the early 20th century. The Internet is the way of the world now.
Katie has worked hard for this community and all she's gotten in return is grief from certain selectmen and some members of the public. Why do you think Linda Jette is leaving. When better opportunities present themselves, why stay and take the kind of crap that is becoming all to common here.
And as far as the library itself goes, it will be something Atkinson can proud of considering our town government is considered a joke to our neighbors.
An if libraries are so out it, why is Amesbury trying so hard to expand theirs?
Let Katie leave so that we can get a real Library Director, someone maybe with a high school education who works part time shoul d be adequate. Gee, this even sounds a little over qualified.
Why not regional libraries with small satellites, instead of a new library every five miles. Its a waste of taxpayers dollars.
You can take that a step farther. Every town has their own police department, public works department, town clerk, town hall, tax assessor, tax collector, Regionalization of many of these functions would make sense and save many towns money.
Good luck trying to get that to happen.
I found Katie to be as professional as any other librarian you would see. I would like to see however that thin blonde woman leave. boy is she rude and snippy to people, i dont care for her pompous attitude at all!
Katie has worked tirelessly to make this new library a reality. Thank you, Katie. In time this community will value your huge contribution...too late to keep you with a fair wage.
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