The Cullman County Public Library Board was left with more questions after revisiting its discussion to find a permanent replacement for former library director Sharon Townson.

The board approved to hold a 30-day public search for candidates to fill the position last month and named Josie Harrington as interim director in an attempt to correct its mistake of appointing Harrington as director during a closed executive session in August. At the time board members told The Times that the position would be posted by the Cullman County Commission office. When this did not happen, the board addressed the confusion during its meeting Thursday, Oct. 19.

“I assumed, I think we all did, that there was a job listing service through the county commission and that we could just post it there. Even though the board makes the decision on the hiring and firing of the director, I thought it would go through the commission and their hiring website,” board member Rusty Turner said following the meeting.

While Harrington shared her intentions of applying for the position last month, she said the refusal of the county commission to increase the position’s annual salary of about $57,000 has caused her to reconsider.

“$57,000 is low compared to other libraries in Alabama which is why I’m not applying for this role, because it is a lot of responsibilities, some of which are in excess of what is typical of the role,” Harrington said.

Harrington said the commission originally proposed a salary at the bottom of the position’s range at $52,500, but increased it to its hardline number of $57,000 after she described the current challenges the position entails, such as recovering from recent storm damage, updating branch systems and updating bylaws.

Board member Tanya Allcorn said Cullman County Administrator John Bullard explained budget restraints prevented the commission from increasing the salary during a recent conversation. However, there were concerns that the current salary would create challenges in recruiting qualified candidates. Newly appointed board member Jill Meggs suggested tabling publicly posting the position until a sit-down could be scheduled with the commissioners to further discuss the salary.

The board did approve supplementing Harrington’s current salary — which only reflects her duties as assistant director — until a permanent director is able to be hired. Harrington said she plans to reassume the assistant director position upon the board finding a replacement.

“I loved that job and the pay for that was fair. I just want the next director to paid fairly for the expectations they are going to have. They are going to have to be really competent people and they’re going to have their hands full,” Harrington said.

In other business the board:

• Approved a process to review and update current bylaws on a section by section basis.
• Nominated Turner, Allcorn and Drew Green to the officer nominating committee which is scheduled to elect new board officers during its next meeting.