Board fills library director vacancy

Published 12:00 am Friday, January 10, 2003

The Austin Public Library staff can breath a little easier now that a director has been found.

Ann Hokanson of Prescott, Wis., was chosen for the position.

"It wasn't an easy choice. We had three excellent candidates," said Dan Heins, chair of the library board.

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The library personnel committee and three board members met with all three candidates early Thursday. A motion to offer the contract to Hokanson was brought to the board for approval.

"What stood out in her was her excellent communication skills, her background with minority communities and knowledge in personnel issues," Heins said.

Hokanson said she's ready to help lead Austin's library staff and be there for its patrons.

"I am really excited about the opportunity," Hokanson said.

With a master's degree in library science from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, she has been working 10 years with public libraries and the last four as the library director at Prescott Public Library.

However, she was looking for a slighter bigger city in the Midwest.

"Austin met the qualifications, while small in size it has a lot to offer … in music, diversity and progressiveness," Hokanson said.

Hokanson her husband and 3-year-old child will relocate to Austin sometime before her tentative start date on Feb. 10.

The news was music to the library's staff ears. After working on a skeleton staff due to retirements, maternity leave and resignations, many were happy to hear the news.

"As a staff member I can't thank the library board and Trish Wiechmann at city hall enough for their support in this and getting us a new director," said a teary-eyed Anita Bruggeman, who is a library assistant.

With the smaller staff, the remaining library workers have had to work more hours than usual.

Bruggeman said the staff is looking forward to working and getting to know their new leader.

"I think she is going to be great," Bruggeman said.

Roxana Orellana can be reached at 434-2214 or by e-mail at roxana.orellana@austindailyherald.com