Couple of days back I noted that Corinne Hill, the interim director of the Dallas Public Library system since July 2010, is slated to give a talk about "Re-imagining the Public Library in a Post-Recession Economy" when the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting comes to town next week. But she won't give the talk as interim head of the Dallas Public Library system. Instead she'll be doing it as the incoming director of the Chattanooga Public Library system. That's according to the Times Free Press there: "Corinne Hill, interim director for the Dallas Public Library, has accepted a position as executive director of The Public Library, library officials confirmed."
As you may recall, Hill was one of three contenders for Dallas's top job back when we thumbed through the stack of resumes in November. And word was Hill was well-liked by City Hall higher-ups. But at some point between then and now she either decided she wasn't going to get the job or didn't want the job. I've been trying to reach her all week; I was told today she's out till next week. Guess we know why. Updates forthcoming, if anyone calls back.
Update at 7:52 p.m.: Congratulations to the Friends of Unfair Park who've commented on this item. Your remarks have been duly noted by The Chattanoogan, which includes this in its story about Hill's hiring:
Her efforts won approval in the Dallas community; she was one of three finalists finally named after city officials hired a search firm that spent months trying to decide who should head the public library there permanently.Update at 8:45 p.m.: Below is Suhm's memo to Mayor Mike Rawlings and the city council about Hill's departure, in which the city manager apologizes for the way they found out about it.
But the Texas search was exceedingly slow. Despite Dallas City Manager Mary Suhm's reported intention of choosing a library director by Thanksgiving, the city has yet to hire anybody.
No wonder then, several Dallas Observer readers commented today, that Ms. Hill is no longer willing to continue working at the Texas library.
"One of the risks you take when you procrastinate on filling a position is that good candidates will go elsewhere," one noted succinctly.
