A message from the Tacoma Public Library Board of Trustees:
This March, we were informed of Kate Larsen’s intent to resign from her position as the Director of Tacoma Public Library after six strong years of leadership. Director Larsen will continue to serve in this position through the fall and guide us through the re-opening of the Main Library branch. The Board of Trustees is engaging in succession planning and to help ensure a smooth transition, anticipates selecting a new Director prior to Kate’s departure.
On behalf of the entire organization, we would like to express our sincerest thanks to Kate for her thoughtful partnership over the past several years. Kate led TPL through a transformative restructure of the organization, centering our mission, vision, and values in every decision so that staff and patrons would feel radically welcomed and supported at TPL. She also guided the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, finding solutions to keep staff and patrons connected while worldwide shutdowns were occurring. Most recently, she led the reimagining of our Main Library, which will be an important community hub for partners and neighbors and serve as Tacoma’s Living Room. We are extremely saddened to see Kate leave the team, but her impact will be long-lasting and guide us moving forward.
While we process the news of Kate's departure from TPL, the Board is also considering several significant factors and crucial next steps during this transition period. We recognize that it is critical to select a leader who understands the importance of continuing TPL’s progress and journey to becoming a radically welcoming organization. Our next Director must continue to foster connections, empower staff at every opportunity, and lead with empathy. The Board has formed a search committee that has taken several significant steps to recruit and select the next Library Director.
The search committee started the search internally to tap into the wealth of talent and experience that already exists at the Library. They moved forward with one candidate, Deputy Director Amita Lonial, and are inviting the Tacoma community to join them on Thursday, Aug. 1 at the Murano Hotel in downtown Tacoma from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The Board will be hosting a public forum for the candidate to share their vision of Tacoma Public Library and to allow the public to provide feedback and ask questions in a moderated setting.
Please visit the event page for more information on how to attend the candidate forum.
Our commitment to the Library and our patrons guides us to pursue leadership that will reinforce the hard work TPL has completed and continues to do every day and we ask that you join us during this important process.
During her last months as Director, Kate will work with staff and the board to transition critical projects and relationships. The Board will work to keep TPL staff, patrons, and partners apprised of significant developments during the search process.
Sincerely,
Tacoma Public Library Board of Trustees
- Andrea Cobb, President
- Sara Irish, Vice President
- Elizabeth Bowman, Trustee,
- Manny Santiago, Trustee
- Theresa Pan Hosley, Trustee
