Interim Appointment Unlikely as Library Officials Search for New Director

Middletown library officials said this week that there isn’t a rush to fill the director post vacated by Susan O’Neal in September with an interim appointment while they search for her permanent replacement.

Library officials began advertising the director opening last week, according to Board President Brock Siebert. But, the interim management structure—under which library operations are overseen by the township administrator and library Board of Trustees—is working out, meaning library officials aren’t scrambling to find a replacement.

“I haven’t received too many issues or problems or complaints with the management here,” Siebert said during the library board’s regular meeting Wednesday. “So until we have a new director—which the job was posted last week—we will continue on this path.”

O'Neal resigned after becoming embroiled in a controversy related to emails she exchanged on township library budget matters with Linda Baum, a Democratic Party candidate for Township Committee and critic of the governing body.

Personnel Committee member Vivian Breen said an interim director appointment was discussed when that group met, but members opted not to go that route for the time being.

“We decided that if we needed help we’d ask for it,” she said.

According to the director job posting made to the New Jersey Library Association website, Middletown library officials are seeking a candidate with a Master’s degree in Library or Information Science with at least five years experience, two of which as a supervisor. They should also qualify for a New Jersey Professional Librarian Certification.