YACHATS – The Yachats Library Commission is pressing ahead with a proposal for the city to hire a part-time librarian to oversee library operations and volunteers.
Under new Oregon regulations, if the city’s library is to keep its legal status and state certification it needs to hire a professional librarian. The Library Commission has been working through drafts of a job description and responsibilities and after a meeting last week plans to submit it to the city for approval to advertise and fill the new position. The library is currently overseen by two volunteers.
There is some urgency to the commission’s work – and the city’s posting, finding applicants and hiring someone.
“If we don’t hire this person by the end of June we will lose our state certifications,” said commission chair David Rivinus.
Those are important in order to use regional and state services and get state and foundation grants. The hire was recommended in a well-received study and recommendations for library services in 2020 by consultant Penny Hummel.
The job description discussed by the commission indicates it would start as a part-time 10-hour-a-week position paying $28-$30 per hour, but could be combined with other city duties or other libraries in the county. Rivinus said there has been a qualified person who has expressed interest in the position.
In other business last week, the commission:
- Received a response from a Eugene interior design firm to its request for qualifications for estimates to design the interior of a planned remodel and expansion of the library on West Fourth Street;
- Re-elected Rivinus as its chair and Naomi Steenson as its vice-chair;
- And, continued a discussion about redesign of the library website to correct technical issues make it easier to use.
