The search for a new director of the Oxford Public Library ended in success last week.
After interviewing two finalists April 18, the library board of trustees voted unanimously to offer the director’s position to Bryan Cloutier, of Lapeer, with an annual salary of $65,000 plus benefits.
‘It was a tough one,? said board President Duane Salswedel. ‘I thought they both displayed a lot of talent.?
However, he admitted that out of the 16 candidates who applied for the job, he ‘favored (Cloutier) from the start.?
Cloutier, who’s been director of the Ruth Hughes Memorial District Library in Imlay City since April 2003, verbally accepted the offer the next day, according to Salswedel.
Pending the results of a background check, he will replace Judy Doublestein when she retires May 31 after 23 years as a director.
‘I could easily see myself here until I retire,? Cloutier told the board during his interview. ‘You have so many great things going on in this community and in the library, too. If I can be a part of that, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity.?
It was Cloutier’s experience and knowledge with developing budgets and fiscal management that seemed to impress board members most and give him the edge.
‘I thought both candidates were good, but especially in the budget area, I thought he was much stronger,? said Trustee Tom Offer.
Cloutier is currently responsible for two libraries, a main branch in Imlay City and satellite branch in Attica Township.
‘Essentially, I need to run two facilities on one budget,? he said.
His experience with technology and positive attitude toward it also impressed the board.
‘We see more and more patrons that are not necessarily coming into our facility. We see them turning more to our electronic resources and our web page,? Cloutier said. ‘We have to have a strong web presence to assure we are connecting with every segment of the population.?
Prior to Imlay City, Cloutier worked as the internet services coordinator and web developer for the Lapeer District Library from August 1994 until August 2003.
As director of a ‘fairly small library? now, Cloutier isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty and lead by example.
‘I really do everything from plunge the toilets to change light bulbs to cut the checks for payroll,? Cloutier said. ‘It’s part of what needs to be done and I’m not afraid to do it.?
‘I wouldn’t expect my staff to do anything that I haven’t already done. And there’s not much that I haven’t already done,? he noted.
Don’t expect Cloutier to be one of those library directors who sits in their office all day, a mysterious figure who never has any contact with the public.
‘I like to be out on the floor as much as possible, meeting the individuals that come into the facility, getting to know them and making sure their needs are being met,? he said. ‘I’m a firm believer in strong customer service.?
Customer service is an inexpensive and immediate way to market the library to the public on a daily basis, in Cloutier’s opinion.
‘Everyday when a patron comes through the front doors and interacts with a staff member, that’s a piece of the marketing puzzle,? he said.
Having a directors who ‘goes out into the community? to meet with government organizations, nonprofit groups and schools is also an important part of marketing the library, according to Cloutier.
Enhancing communication between the library and school district is a key goal for Cloutier, who originally planned to be a teacher in secondary education.
Outside the community, Cloutier is actively involved at the state level in the fight against cutting library funding. He recently testified before the state Senate Subcommittee for History, Arts and Libraries regarding the proposed 50 percent reduction in state aid to libraries.
‘The biggest challenge is to make sure the library community is vocal at the state level to demonstrate that we are a valuable piece of the puzzle, that we’re a valuable piece to pre-kindergarten elementary as well as lifelong learning.?
Familiar with both the Oxford area and its library, Cloutier had nothing but praise for both.
‘Obviously, this library is a successful library,? he said. ‘It has two local millages voted in perpetuity which tells me that the community expects a lot out of its library and they should in turn get a lot out of its library.?
‘Obviously, you are doing something exceptionally well here and the community recognizes that and is willing to support it,? Cloutier noted.
Cloutier indicated he might be willing to move here. ‘I’m not a resident of the community, but we can work on that,? he told the board.