Illinois native Brett Lear will be the next director of the Sonoma County Library, taking over in June at a time when the system is challenged by budget problems and haggling over a new joint powers agreement.
Lear, 46, said Friday that "turbulence" in the Sonoma County Library did not deter him from seeking the director's job, which will pay him $140,000 annually.
He described himself as a "pretty high-energy person" who isn't afraid to "try creative things" when he feels that's what library staff and the community wants.
"I think I'm a pretty good listener," he said.
Lear has been director of the Martin County Library System in Florida the past three years. Prior to that, he held library jobs in Oregon, New York and Colorado.
Lear said Sonoma County's beauty and the size of the library system sparked his interest in the job. In Florida, he oversees about 46 full-time employees and a budget of about $4.2 million.
The Sonoma County Library has a staff of approximately 138 full-time employees and a budget this fiscal year of $15 million. The system is running a deficit of about $610,000. Library commissioners authorized a one-time transfer of money from a special fund to help cover that amount and are exploring whether to seek a sales tax measure on the November ballot.
Lear also is likely to inherit a new system of library governance that seeks an expanded role for the Library Commission, including cities having more say in who sits on the board.
County supervisors launched a review of the 1975 joint powers agreement amid a torrent of criticism over former Library Director Sandy Cooper's management style and the Library Commission's perceived acquiescence to her demands.
Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously supported the final draft of the revised operating agreement, which, if agreed to by signatories to the original document, would give nine cities a voice in library governance. That includes Cotati, which does not have a library branch.
The final draft will be circulated to each of the cities for review. Amendments to the library's operating agreement require unanimous consent of the county and the cities of Santa Rosa, Healdsburg, Petaluma and Sonoma, which were the original signatories to the 1975 document.
Supervisor Mike McGuire, who spearheaded the review, said he is seeking support from all nine cities, not just those required to implement revisions to the operating agreement. He declined to speculate on the outcome should that not be the case.
"I'm not sure why we wouldn't see unanimous support from around the county, but that issue will have to be addressed if, and when, we see a city that may not support the document," McGuire said.
One lingering concern is representation on the Library Commission, with some in the west county fearing they won't have a seat at the table. Under the proposed agreement, the county and city of Santa Rosa would each appoint one commissioner, plus collaborate on the selection of another. The only requirement is that the candidate reside somewhere in Sonoma County.
Peter Andrews, executive director of River Friends of the Library, said his concern is that somebody "at the far end of the county who doesn't even know where Guerneville is" would be appointed to the commission and not understand the needs of that library.
Supervisor Efren Carrillo, who represents the west county, said the current language does not ensure lower Russian River area has voting representation.
"The joint seat with Santa Rosa was a good attempt, but not enough," he said.
Carrillo expressed hope supervisors and city leaders in Santa Rosa would "consider representation that includes the Russian River community."
Lear said one of his first priorities after he assumes the director's job in June is to meet with staff and elected officials in every city participating in the library's governance structure. He said he also wants to host community forums to give the public an opportunity to have a say in how the library is run.
Lear holds a master's degree in library science from Florida State University.
His wife, Marjorie, also is a librarian. The couple have an 8-month-old son, Wade.
You can reach Staff Writer Derek Moore at 521-5336 or derek.moore@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @deadlinederek.
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