(Posted Dec. 24, 2016)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
The London Public Library board of trustees voted Dec. 20 to name Becky Stickel as interim library director.
Stickel will fill in until the board hires a replacement for Mike Hensel, who is leaving to take a position as a branch director in the Dayton library system. Hensel has been with London Library since 1997, serving as director for the past six years. His last day is Dec. 31.
“We were saddened to hear of Mike Hensel’s leaving but wish him the asbolute best in his new position,” Stickel said.
Stickel is the library’s fiscal officer. As interim director, she will continue to perform her fiscal duties with help when needed from Heather Kennedy, deputy fiscal officer.
“I have loved this library since moving here in 1992 when I used to bring my children for summer reading events,” said Stickel, who grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania and moved from Baltimore, Md., to the London area with her husband, Gary, and three daughters.
In Maryland, Stickel was a licensed securities representative, financial para-planner and assistant to the company president at Chesapeake Financial Group. Once in London, she worked for 10 years as office manager at Murry & Edwards Marathon.
She began working at the library in 2007 as deputy fiscal officer. She became the fiscal officer in 2010.
“I love my job at the library, and I’m happy to step in to provide coverage until a new director can be hired,” Stickel said. “The wonderful staff we have at the library will continue to provide the excellent service our community has come to appreciate.”
The library trustees plan to advertise the director position locally and through the Ohio Library Council’s job line. Their goal is to have a new director in place by February.
“The timing will depend on how quickly the process moves along,” Stickel said.
The library’s last two directors, Hensel and Gary Branson, were hired from among the organization’s existing staff, making for quick transitions.
Once resumés are collected, candidates will go through interviews with the board and some staff members. The board will make the final decision. The board includes: Dennis Park, president; Karen Wells, vice president; Misty Bradley, secretary; and Lester Barnhart, Mike Hopkins, Melissa Gaston and Kelly Snyder.
“We have a great board of trustees, and I have every confidence that they will fill the position with someone who loves this place as much as we do,” Stickel said.
