Published: February 18, 2008 10:30 pm         

Benson should hire best library director available

Library Director Ab Kader did the right thing by submitting his resignation in the wake of the no-confidence vote the library advisory board gave him last week.

The library board had voted to recommend Kader be terminated as the library director. City Manager Eric Benson had the final say in the matter and was to make a decision Monday, but Kader submitted his resignation before Benson could rule. Kader will stay on another 60 days to help finish some library projects that have begun.

Kader’s tenure as director of the Public Library of Enid and Garfield County has been controversial and drawn an unnecessary amount of negative publicity. The director has been at odds with staff members, and there have been accusations he was derogatory with the staff, as well as having communication problems.

City administrators tried to help Kader and the staff work through their problems, but by that time, things had gone beyond reconciliation.

We need the library board, Benson and any others involved in hiring a new library director to be careful and considerate in deciding how to move the library forward. We do have issues that have to be addressed, including structural problems with the current library and the kinds of library services that should be enhanced or expanded.

We advise those involved in the hiring process to seek assistance and recommendations from the Oklahoma Municipal League or the state Department of Libraries about what qualifications are needed in today’s public library directors.