Library director gives 30-day notice

by karla pomeroyBig Horn County Library Director and Basin Branch Manager Nancy Venable tendered her resignation Friday.Venable delivered the resignation to the Big Horn County commissioners and the Big Horn County Library Board prior to their special meeting between the board and commissioners. The commissioners, following an executive session, accepted the resignation.In her letter Venable stated, “Please consider this my 30-day resignation notice; my last work day will be March 28, 2014. While I have enjoyed many elements of my position and learned a great deal, there have been many challenges that have forced me to consider the value of employment with the Big Horn County Library System.“Thank you for the opportunity to meet many of the wonderful members of the county and work with some of the best library staff in Wyoming.”Venable has taken a position as the Rock Springs branch manager in Sweetwater County.Commission Chairman Jerry Ewen said, “We don’t have a solid plan (regarding replacing Venable at this time). First, the commissioners will be acting in place of the library board until the new board is appointed (see related story). The director will be reporting to us and meeting with us during our regular meetings. One of things we will discuss with her prior to her leaving is appointing an interim director,” he said.Ewen said it will take some time to hire a new director. He said they will review the list of qualifications the board used in their last hire. While in the last hire the board opted not to seek applications from current employees, Ewen said in his opinion the position will be opened up in-house, but noted that would be a commission decision.“That’s how it’s done in private industry. That’s how we do it at the courthouse,” Ewen said.The county will be seeking its third director in as many years. Longtime director Becky Hawkins retired in 2011. The board hired Julia Kelso, formerly of Thermopolis, in July 2011. The board announced in January 2013 that Kelso’s last day would be Jan. 16, 2013.Venable, who came to Basin from Havre, Mont., was hired by the now terminated library board in April 2013 and began duties in June.