Beth Pollard Hired as Interim Director Of Library Services

November 12, 2015

Contact: July Cole
Associate Human Resources Analyst
or
Sarah Dentan
Acting Deputy Director
Berkeley Public Library
510-981-6195
 


BERKELEY PUBLIC LIBRARY HIRES BETH POLLARD
AS INTERIM DIRECTOR OF LIBRARY SERVICES
 


Berkeley, California (November 6, 2015) – The Berkeley Board of Library Trustees (BOLT) has appointed Beth Pollard as the Interim Director of Library Services, Chair Abigail Franklin announced today.


Filling the vacancy from the departure of former Director Jeff Scott in September, Pollard will step in to provide management oversight for the Library as it prepares to recruit a new director.  


Pollard, the former City Manager of Albany, served this past year as Interim Deputy City Manager for the City of Berkeley for six months during the recruitment process for the Deputy City Manager position.


“Beth has just the right combination of strong management skills, leadership ability, and familiarity with Berkeley to help guide us during this transition,” said Abigail Franklin, Board Chair.


“We have tremendous talent in our Library staff,” said Franklin, “on whom Beth can rely for a wide range of library services expertise to complement her general management insight and experience.”


The Board is especially appreciative of current Acting Director Sarah Dentan, whom it tapped to step in immediately after Scott’s departure, Franklin said.   She will return to her duties as Acting Deputy Director in addition to Library Services Manager.
Included in Pollard’s background is a period as Acting Director of the San Anselmo Library and service on the International City/County Management Association’s Local Government-Public Library Partnership Initiative.


Pollard said she is thrilled to be returning to work in Berkeley, and in particular in the Library. “Libraries grow minds and expand hearts,” said Pollard, “and Berkeley is a leader in seeing that growth and expansion are available to everyone.”


“I look forward to partnering with Berkeley Public Library’s enthusiastic and dedicated Board, Staff, Friends, Foundation, and community to maintain excellent library services over the coming months,” she added.


Before serving as Albany’s City Manager for 12 years, Pollard worked for the towns of Fairfax and San Anselmo for 20 years, starting as a secretary and working her way to San Anselmo Town Administrator after getting a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Cal State Hayward/East Bay.
Library Trustee Winston Burton underscored his enthusiasm for Pollard’s appointment, “Beth has proven herself as a respected community leader.  She has a demonstrated ability to work well with management and line staff of various cultures and ethnicities.”


Pollard will start in the position November 9 and serve until a new Director is appointed, anticipated for Spring 2016.
 


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