Plymouth Library Trustees to Hold Interviews for New Director Saturday

The Plymouth District Library Board of Trustees has begun the hard task of finding a replacement for outgoing Library Director Pat Thomas, who has decided to retire this fall after 34 years of service.

"We're trying to replace a legend - Pat's been the only director the library's known for a long time," Library Board President Mike Pappas said. "She's been fabulous. The board's trying to talk her into staying, but she keeps insisting she wants to leave. I don't know why."

The Board has narrowed the search down to four finalists out of the 32 applications they received. Those four will be interviewed during a special meeting on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. The public is welcome to attend. 

The four finalists include Carol Souchock, Director of the Adrian Public Library since 2006; William Harmer, Director of the Chelsea District Library since 2009; Tina Hatch, Director of the Milford Township Public Library since 2000 and 
David Ewick, a City Librarian at the Southfield Public Library since 2007.

Pappas said between the board members, library staff and Thomas herself, they came up with more than 100 things the library director does.

"We're looking for someone to maintain the service and quality to the public," Pappas said. "It's a smooth running operation, so the wheel does not have to be reinvented. We have an excellent staff. They just have to be maintained. We need to keep growing with innovations, whatever the latest and greatest thing out there is, we need to do it."

Pappas said the Board will conduct the interviews, then plans to make a tentative offer the same day.

"Everyone of these people are super qualified on paper," he said. "So it's really going to be what comes out (during the interview) that moves the board into picking one. We see no real reason to adjourn. Unless something unforeseeable happens, we'll make a decision that day."

Check back with Plymouth-Canton Patch Monday for updates to this story.