Interim library chief interviews start

Thursday, Feb. 12, 1998 | 10:19 a.m.

A former director of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library and a former chairman of its board of trustees made unexpected appearances Wednesday before a committee interviewing applicants for an interim director's position.

Charles Hunsberger, who spent more than 21 years as executive director and resigned in the midst of controversy in 1993, and Danny Lee, who was chairman of the board of trustees for six years until his resignation in 1991, said they would like to apply for the temporary job.

Linda Penton Dougan, chairman of the three-member search committee, said no more applications were being taken.

The board of trustees appointed Regional Administrator Monteria Hightower acting director after Executive Director Darrell Batson decided in January to step down from the job he has held for four years. He is on paid leave while trustees work out a separation package.

The interim director will serve until a national search for a new executive director is completed.

Hightower was one of two candidates interviewed at an opening meeting by the interim search committee Tuesday.

The other person was Greg Reese, director of the East Cleveland Ohio Library District for the past 10 years. The district he serves has a population of about 40,000, compared to more than a million in the Clark County district.

Today at noon the committee was to interview a third and final candidate, Carl Rowe.

Rowe is former executive director of the Las Vegas Housing Authority. He resigned in 1994 after a four-year stint that ended in controversy over issues of maintenance and security at a number of public housing complexes.

The search committee will turn two names over to the board of trustees at Thursday night's regularly scheduled meeting.

The board will either select an interim director from the two chosen by the committee or ask to see more candidates.

Joining Dougan on the subcommittee are board members Barbara Robinson and Moises Denis.

When they began their search they said they wanted someone with management and leadership skills and someone experienced at dealing with unions.

"I qualify," said Hunsberger, who has been a library consultant since leaving the district.

During a public comment period Hunsberger made an emotional statement, lambasting the board and the administration for what has been done to the district he spent 21 years creating.

"It's gone totally down the tube," he said.

Hunsberger questioned the application and interview process.

"I'm concerned we're not getting adequate candidates," he said. "I'm a library consultant and a head hunter. I know there are several top library directors around the country looking for a situation like this. I am confused. I'm not seeing the job posted in any logical place."

Lee, who is a lobbyist for libraries, said he isn't sure the board of trustees has the authority to hire an interim director.

The law, according to Lee, only permits the board to name an executive director.

Board member Lamar Marchese, who is not on the committee but appeared at the meeting to question the candidates, said he would check with the board's attorney for his opinion on the legality of the search.

Reese, who was the first candidate interviewed, said he has a staff of about 50 full-time employees and 20 part-time and a budget of $4 million.

The Las Vegas district has more than 200 full-time and 100 part-time employees and a budget of more than $25 million.

One of the criteria the committee said it was looking for was someone with experience in dealing with unions.

Reese said he didn't have that experience because employees in his district were so satisfied they rejected three attempts by unions to organize them.

When asked why he was applying for the job, he replied he was looking for new challenges.

But when Marchese asked him if he understood the interim position might be for only three to six months, Reese said he was not clear on whether he would be considered for the permanent position.

That was a point of contention when the interim search committee was formed, whether the interim candidate could even apply for the director's job.

"From what I understand," Marchese told the candidate, "this (interim) position is not precluded from becoming permanent director, but it doesn't mean it will be one of the candidates either."

Reese said if that's the case, the committee probably needed someone closer to the community, "maybe someone within the district, or a neighbor."

Of the three candidates selected to be interviewed, Hightower had the greatest support among staff members.

She has had extensive experience across the country, beginning as a library clerk in Los Angeles.

For a period she was a branch librarian in Connecticut and an institutional consultant for the state Department of Education in Maryland and as state librarian in Missouri.

The soft-spoken acting director described herself as a "communicator -- I am blunt and direct. I have no problem giving directions."