Children’s librarian hopeful stays in Massena

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5, 2012

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In its search for a new children and youth services librarian, Ogdensburg Public Library found out this week that its loss was the Massena Public Library’s gain.

Library Director Wayne L. Miller interviewed and offered the job to Elaine Dunne-Thayer, who was then the youth services librarian at Massena.

On Tuesday, Mrs. Dunne-Thayer was named director of the Massena library. She will start her new job Monday at an annual salary of $57,500.

For Mr. Miller, it’s back to square one to find a successor to Bonnie Wright, who retired in January 2011.

“I had conversations with each of the three eligible candidates from the recently created Civil Service list for the job,” he said. “Number one on the list was Elaine Dunne-Thayer. We conducted a full interview process with Elaine and offered her the position. She had also been on the Civil Service list for library director at Massena and this week the new Massena board hired her.”

With Mrs. Dunne-Thayer no longer being considered, Mr. Miller will contact the other two eligible candidates as well as a fourth person on the eligibility list so all three can be considered.

The popular youth services librarian position stayed vacant after Mrs. Wright retired for cost-cutting purposes. Library staff and volunteers have filled in since but the well-attended after school and summer programs in reading and other fare have been curtailed or dropped altogether.

“I’m trying to remain patient in the process of filling this important position,” Mr. Miller said. “The community, (library) board, staff and I are anxious for Bonnie Wright’s successor to get started while also making sure we get the best available person for the job.”

The minimum starting annual salary for the children and youth services librarian position is $31,700.