Public Library hires consultant to perform director search

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is hiring an independent consultant to help in the search for a new library director. June Garcia, owner of June Garcia LLC in Denver, Colorado, will lead the search.

The Library must hire a new director after the retirement of Kimber L. Fender, who stepped down June 30 after more than 30 years of service. Paula Brehm-Heeger is serving as interim Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director of the Library.

Garcia has more than 40 years of experience as a public librarian, including six years as director of the San Antonio, Texas Public Library and 12 years as administrator of the branch library system for the Phoenix, Arizona Public Library. She also served as CEO of the CARL Corporation and as Vice President and Chief Ambassador of TLC/CARL, two major library automation companies. She has 25 years of active participation in the Public Library Association’s efforts to develop tools that enable public librarians and trustees to effectively plan, measure and evaluate public library service. Garcia is a frequent speaker at library conferences on a wide variety of topics including fundraising, measurement and evaluation, facilities planning, policy development, and intellectual freedom.

Over the past 10 years, Garcia has led executive searches for dozens of libraries across the United States. She recently helped in searches for new executive directors for the Sno-Isle Library system in Washington State and the Metropolitan Library System in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Her full résumé is available on JuneGarcia.com. 

In addition to meetings with staff and Library managers, Garcia’s search process will include discussions with the Library Board of Trustees and the general public at the times below. A survey will be made available shortly after the meetings for those unable to attend. There is no timeline for a decision on a new director.