The Grande Prairie Public Library is still searching for a new Director. Former Director Maureen Curry stepped down from the position on August 31, 2018. She says she’s happy about everything she has done over her many years of service.
“Looking back on the five and a half years I’ve been here, it’s really been satisfying to me to show how much can be accomplished when staff and a board work together with a shared vision of making a library as best it can be.”
When Curry started in the position in 2013, the library had over 12,000 members. While there, she brought a number of new things to the library including self checkout stations and online late fee payment. She also removed the membership fee for users which Curry says was one of the highlights of her career.
“The elimination of the membership fees was certainly a highlight for me and the fact that we were able to do that permanently at the beginning of 2017 meant that anyone regardless of economic circumstances can become a member of the library.”
After those services were put in place membership jumped up to 20,000. While she’s sad to go, Curry says she’s leaving the library in good shape.
“We made a lot of great changes, introduced a lot of new projects and moved the library in a really positive direction… I leave the library in a really really positive place.”
Curry has moved to Ontario to be closer to family. The library board is currently looking for a replacement with the help of a search firm. There is no word yet on when the position will be filled.