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Release Date: 11/24/2008
State Librarian of California Susan Hildreth selected to lead The Seattle Public Library
Susan Hildreth, currently State Librarian of California, has been selected to lead The Seattle Public Library.
"I'm thrilled that I will have the opportunity to lead this world-class library into the 21st century," said Hildreth, upon accepting the job. "I appreciate the confidence that the Library Board has placed in me and look forward to working with the board, staff, Library Foundation, Friends and city leaders in continuing and enhancing the tremendous investment that the people of Seattle have made in their library system."
Seattle's five-member board made its unanimous decision today after a nationwide search. Other finalists included Jane Light, director of the San Jose Public Library and Rivkah K. Sass, director of the Omaha Public Library. Each finalist spent a day in Seattle last week meeting with trustees, administration and staff, as well as with Library Foundation and Friends members.
Hildreth will succeed Deborah L. Jacobs, who left The Seattle Public Library in July to join the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Hildreth is expected to begin her new position in early 2009. Marilynne Gardner, CFO and director of Administrative Services for The Seattle Public Library, has been serving as interim chief executive and will continue in that capacity through the transition.
Library Board President Eric Liu said Hildreth impressed the trustees with her leadership qualities and extensive professional credentials. "Susan has the clarity, focus and passion to lead our Library into this exciting new chapter," Liu said. "She's got deep experience, great ideas, and a capacity to listen and learn. From a strong pool of finalists, Susan emerged as the clear choice."
Mayor Greg Nickels added, "Seattle's libraries are important community gathering places, and well-run libraries are critical to the economic, educational and cultural vitality of our city. Susan Hildreth brings the depth of experience needed to serve the people of Seattle in this important position and continue to build upon our thriving world class library system."
As city librarian/CEO of The Seattle Public Library, Hildreth will oversee a $50 million budget, 710 employees and facilities that include the world famous Central Library, 26 recently replaced or renovated branches and a Mobile Services division. The city librarian reports to the Library Board, who are citizen volunteers appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the City Council.
Hildreth will come to Seattle having spent the last four years as California's state librarian. She was appointed to the position by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. California's state library, the largest in the nation, has an annual budget of $75 million and includes services for the executive branch, the state Legislature and all state employees. Hildreth is responsible for the annual distribution of more than $16 million in federal funding and $59 million in state funding. She also supervises a $350 million public library construction bond program and a $128 million cultural facilities program.
Prior to her position as California state librarian, Hildreth was at the San Francisco Public Library, where she served as deputy director and then city librarian. The San Francisco Public Library includes a 376,000 square foot main library, 26 branches and two bookmobiles. Its current budget is $84 million, operates with a staff of more than 800 and serves a population of approximately 800,000. Hildreth helped develop the system's successful $109 million branch bond program, which involved renovating 19 branches and building five new facilities and guided the system's strategic plan.
Her background also includes five years as deputy library director at the Sacramento Public Library, several years as Placer County's head librarian and four years as library director for Benicia Public Library, all in California. She began her career as a branch librarian at the Edison Township Library in New Jersey.
When told of the decision, former City Librarian Jacobs commented, "I am thrilled that The Seattle Public Library has hired one of the top librarians in our country. I have worked with Susan as a professional colleague and she is an outstanding leader. Seattle is lucky to have her!"
Hildreth is active in the American Library Association and a number of other library professional organizations. She served as president of the Public Library Association in 2006. She has a master's degree in library science from State University of New York, a master's degree in business administration from Rutgers University and a bachelor of arts, cum laude, from Syracuse University.
For more information contact:
Andra Addison, communications director
206-386-4103
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