New director for Redondo Beach libraries
The Redondo Beach Main Library, located on PCH and Carnelian. Photo
A new library director has been appointed to take the place of predecessor Jean Scully, who retired at the end of June.
This marks a win for those residents who last year protested the city manager’s proposal to de-authorize the director position and divert the saved monies toward keeping the North Branch Library open one additional day per week. At the time of the proposal, they pleaded with the City Council to consider the implications of such an action.
This week, they found relief when City Manager Bill Workman announced the appointment of Susan Anderson of Austin, Texas to the position of library director. Anderson beat out more than 30 other applicants in a nationwide recruitment to fill the vacant position.
Starting Feb. 3, she will oversee both the Main Library on Pacific Coast Highway and the North Branch on Artesia.
Anderson served as the library manager for the County of Los Angeles West Hollywood Library. During her tenure there, the library transitioned into a new building.
She also worked as managing librarian for the Austin Public Library.
Anderson holds a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Texas and a B.A. in sociology from Colorado College.
During Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Workman praised Anderson as “an excellent, excellent candidate.”
“Anderson distinguished herself during the selection process by displaying a keen understanding of the importance of libraries connecting to communities and is experienced in new ways to keep libraries vital and relevant,” he said in a statement.
Christine Hach has been acting as interim library director since Scully’s retirement.