DALTON, Mass. — The public library started the search for a new director during its meeting on Wednesday night. 

 

Library director Robert DiFazio's last day was Friday, Aug. 25. He gave notice four weeks ago.

 

Although DiFazio said loved working at the library, when a position at Wahconah Regional High School's library opened he jumped at the opportunity because the schedule better aligns with his personal life. 

 

"I live right in town, you know, less than half a mile away. So, I'm definitely going to be a regular library user," DiFazio said.

 

"...[Kim Gwilt] has been a great assistant director for years and I definitely want her to get a new director in here that will work well with her."

 

Although the topic was discussed, because of scheduling restraints, the library trustees didn't start the search till Wednesday, DiFazio said. 

 

The trustees set a goal to fill the position by Nov. 1 to give time to conduct interviews and the new hire enough time to transfer into the position. 

 

"I mean, obviously sooner is better but I don't want to rush the process and get the wrong person," Gwilt said.

 

"It’s really important to the library and the community, really, that the right person come in here so we continue to have such a successful, loved library." 

 

The trustees are creating an ad hoc search committee made up of six members.

 

Trustees Mary Gingras and Barb Kotelnicki will be members of the committee and trustee Treasurer Max Ehrlich will serve as an alternate. 

 

DiFazio and Gwilt will also be on the committee. The committee is looking for two community members to join the search. 

 

Multiple trustees noted that the Dalton Free Public Library serves surrounding towns so the ad hoc committee should also be open to those who are not from Dalton. 

 

The trustees are interested in having young voices on the committee but understand that could be difficult with the school year starting and will also reach out to the Friends of the Dalton Free Public Library.

 

Community members interested in joining the search committee need to reach out as soon as possible as the trustee would like to set the committee at the end of this coming week. DiFazio suggested they could wait until after position is posted since it's unknown how many applicants they will get. 

 

Although the town is not responsible for hiring the new director, the trustees have been and will continue getting aid from the Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson. 

 

When the trustees went through the hiring process with DiFazio 10 years ago, they had the late John Kittredge, who was retired and had been chairman, one trustee said. Kittredge had served on numerous civic and nonprofit boards during his lifetime. 

 

"We were very lucky, his picture is right there as we walk through, he wants us to do this the right way. We want to do this the right way," one trustee said. 

 

"And so, just realize that the times have changed and we need to all work together in order to do this."

 

According to the trustees handbook, the trustees are responsible for hiring and evaluation of the new director unless there is local law that takes that responsibility away, Gingras said. 

 

From what could be found during the research process and based on past hiring, there is not a law that takes that responsibility away from the trustees, she said