New hires, interims, in San Diego, Cleveland, Boston; Mason retires Siobhan Reardon, executive director of the Westchester Library System, NY, as of September will be the president and director of the Free Library of Philadelphia, replacing Elliot Shelkrot, who retired last December. Reardon told the Philadelphia Inquirer that a major challenge is raising some $70 million for the $175 million expansion of the central library. Meanwhile, Shelkrot has left retirement to serve as interim director of the William Jeanes Memorial Library of Whitemarsh Township, Lafayette Hill, PA. He first visited the Jeanes Library, which is considering a major expansion, in April, when he delivered the keynote address at its 75th anniversary celebration.

Changes in CA, CO, OH

At the San Diego Public Library, Anna Tatár has retired as director after 36 years at the library, the last 11 as director. She oversaw the construction or expansion of ten branches during her directorship; however, fundraising for a $180 million central library, slowed by the city's economic troubles, will now be a challenge for new director Deborah Barrow. Previously director of the Sunnyvale Public Library, CA, Barrow spearheaded a long-range plan for services and facilities there. Marcellus Turner is the new executive director of the Jefferson County Public Library, Lakewood, CO. Deputy county librarian, Turner was named acting county librarian upon the April 30 retirement of Bill Knott. At the Cleveland Public Library (CPL), Holly C. Carroll has been appointed interim director following Andrew Venable's retirement. Carroll has served as the deputy director since 2004 and previously headed the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library, Willowick, OH.

Changes in Boston

Ruth Kowal, the deputy director of the Boston Public Library (BPL), has been appointed acting president upon the departure of Bernard Margolis. Meanwhile, the Boston Globe reported that three of the seven BPL trustees who voted not to renew Margolis's contract “have substantial business ties with the city” but had not disclosed them—and that two acknowledged they would file disclosure forms. Also, Marilyn Gell Mason, founder and executive director of WebJunction, will retire September 1 but will continue as an advisor to WebJunction. She formerly headed the Cleveland Public Library and the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library.