CMLE has found a new Executive Director!

Mary JordanWe are pleased to announce that Dr. Mary Wilkins-Jordan will soon be joining CMLE. She looks forward to working with CMLE members, the other six MN Multitype Library Directors, and the MN library community. She is also thrilled to return to the Midwest.

I want to personally thank the Search Committee for their careful attention to detail and process, and for including me as an ex-officio member of the Committee. Our overall goal from the beginning was focused on our CMLE members. We want to ensure that this change in CMLE leadership doesn’t disrupt the services you have come to rely on! Mary will begin on August 15th. She will work with me for two weeks to transition accounts and get the high points of being a multitype director. My last day at CMLE is August 26th.

Mary’s most recent experience has been as a library and information science professor at Simmons College in Boston. Although Mary has been an academic, her heart is in helping people in the library field. She was most attracted to this job because it will allow her to do just that! Mary also has experience as a public library director and exhibited a great sense of humor, which certainly helps in challenging times. Don’t let that doctorate worry you. Mary is knowledgeable yet grounded, and sincere in identifying herself as a librarian, first and foremost!

As some of our “seasoned” CMLE members have witnessed over the years, our services are dynamic and sometimes change based on member needs. There are always plenty of things that can be done differently and with a new perspective. Take every opportunity you get to weigh in on services that are important to you. I believe CMLE is in capable hands going forward and wish Mary and all of you the very best!

Patricia Post
Outgoing CMLE Executive Director