COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Branch District Library Board of Trustees has decided to promote from within.
Following an interview on Monday afternoon, John Rucker was named as the new Library Director. The change has already been made on the library’s web site.
He was the assistant director and was named the interim director last month when Linda Lyshol submitted her resignation due to several conflicts she had with some board members.
Rucker was the only person interviewed by the board.
He said in his application that while becoming a library director someday may have been a distant thought for him during most of his work at the library, the current situation at the library convinced him that the time to finally apply is now.
He added, “the strong level of community support for the library is a tremendous asset, and our talented library staff have never been more focused on providing quality service and programming to our patrons. I am excited at the potential the library has yet to unleash.”
According to minutes from the March 18, 2019 meeting, board members objected to spending a lot of money again so soon to hire a new director. Lyshol stepped down after being hired in 2016. It was decided the job would be posted internally with the hope Rucker would apply. The staff pointed out that Rucker was the only staff member who possesses the state certification required for a library of their size.
Rucker has worked at the Branch District Library for 16 years. He started as a technology librarian in 2003 before becoming assistant director in 2006. He served as acting director three times since December of 2011.
