ERVING — In its search to replace Natane Halasz as library director, the Board of Library Trustees has narrowed the applicant pool down to four candidates.
The trustees met last week to review nine anonymous applications from prospective library directors. Mare Alos, Courtney Carey, Anna Lawrence and Andrea Puglisi were chosen as the four finalists. Interviews are slated to begin at the end of the month, with target dates being Nov. 29 and Nov. 30.
Halasz resigned on Nov. 10, having accepted a job as a research and instruction librarian at Hampshire College, where she had worked previously. First Library Assistant Jean Daley is serving as interim director.
The trustees started with 12 interested applicants, but quickly disqualified three after retracting their leniency in accepting applications that arrived after the deadline of 3 p.m. on Oct. 28.
“If you can’t get your application in timely, it doesn’t bode well for your position,” trustee Mackensey Bailey said.
With nine applicants left, the trustees silently and independently reviewed the applications. Each application was marked with a letter for identification, omitting any mention of name, gender, age and other identifiers to combat potential bias. Town Administrator Bryan Smith said he prepared the applications this way to ensure the trustees would be “viewing (the applications) objectively, keeping it an even playing field.”
The trustees also made notes on checklists with categories for minimum and preferred qualifications as they read. Minimum qualifications the trustees checked for included baccalaureate college degrees, reasonable experience, knowledge and skills in relevant areas, and a valid driver’s license. Preferred qualifications included a master’s degree in a field related to the position and a Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners certification.
“This is a high-level job,” Bailey said. “It’s not an entry-level job.”
With the field narrowed to Alos, Carey, Lawrence and Puglisi, the interview process — which has no estimated date of completion — is anticipated to begin after Thanksgiving. Smith said he will reach out to the four candidates to ensure their availability for 6:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. interview times on Nov. 29, and 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. interview times on Nov. 30. These windows of time were deemed feasible by the trustees during their meeting.
Trustee Patricia Semb expressed optimism that the interview process might alleviate some skepticism surrounding the viability of any of the four candidates.
“The interview could really change our minds, too,” she added.
While the prospect of having a secondary “finalist round” of interviews is up for consideration, the trustees agreed that it would be best to shoot for a speedy interview and hiring process.
“We don’t want to slowly crawl along,” said trustee Daniel Hammock, “but we want to take an adequate amount of time in order to make a good decision.”
Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-772-0261, ext. 261 or jmendoza@recorder.com.