By Staff
CASSOPOLIS - Cass District Library's board announced Monday that Jennifer Ray has accepted the position of library director.
Mrs. Ray, who starts Oct. 1, will succeed M. E. Harper, who has been director since October 1997.
A lifelong resident of southwest Michigan and a 1982 graduate of Southwestern Michigan College, Ray has more than 20 years library experience, including two previous stints at Cass District Library.
Ray will bring her strong "customer first" attitude and diverse library experience to the position.
She has been the library media specialist/district media coordinator for Berrien Springs Public Schools since 1991 and has been active in various professional organizations.
Grif Cook, chair of the library board's personnel committee, says the library is "fortunate to have found such a qualified person so close to home."
A nationwide search yielded 13 applicants, several from Michigan.
The personnel committee chose two candidates for initial interviews.
Four staff members joined the committee for second interviews with both candidates.
One interviewer called Ray "a librarian's librarian." Another was impressed with her extensive experience in database evaluation and selection.
Challenges facing Ray in the near future will include working with the board to develop a priorities list for facilities and technology and updating the District Library's aging automation system.