Library board chooses local woman to be new director

Sara Jones, administrator of the Nevada State Library and Archives, was chosen by members of the library board Thursday to serve as Carson City's new director.

Jones still has to officially accept the offer, but negotiations are expected to begin soon. The city will conduct background and reference checks, said Stacey Belt, human resources department.

Laura Golod was the other finalist for the job. She is the branch manager of the Flamingo Road branch of the Las Vegas-Clark County Library District and a Southern Nevada native.

"Both were very good," said Phyllis Patton, chairwoman of the board. She did note that Jones' extensive experience in grant writing could prove invaluable to the library.

Both candidates spent time with a panel of residents before their interviews with the board on Thursday.

Jones told the board she wanted the job because she is working on her doctorate in library and information science and will begin writing her thesis next year. It will focus on the value of libraries and getting decision makers more interested in how this service is provided to communities.

Another factor: Her current position as state librarian, is cabinet level. The governor-elect, Jim Gibbons, might have his own person in mind for the job, she said.

Before starting at the state library in 2001, Jones was the library director for the Elko-Lander-Eureka County Library system. She has a master's degree in library science from Syracuse University and bachelor's degree in interpersonal communication from Boise State University.

The annual salary previously advertised for a new library director was $70,000 to $80,000, depending on qualifications. If an applicant is highly qualified - and Jones is - the salary could go higher, Belt said.

Qualifications stated in recruitment advertisements included having a master's degree in library science and six years of experience as a library director or reference or children's librarian. Preference was given to candidates with English and Spanish language abilities, advanced computer skills and public relations experience.

Sally Edwards, the previous director, retired in September after nearly 20 years in the position.

• Contact reporter Terri Harber at tharber @nevadaappeal.com or 882-2111, ext. 215.