A swath of retirements has the Prince George Public Library looking for some fresh book-loving blood.
By the spring of 2014, six members of the library's 65-person staff will have retired since the beginning of 2013.
Communications co-ordinator Andrea Palmer said the retirements are planned and being staged so as to not disrupt library operations.
"We're so sorry to lose people that are such an integral part of our institution but it really says a lot about the library that we're able to attract and retain amazing staff who really care about the community and have such a high level of professionalism," Palmer said, adding that in addition to the retirements, there have also been two jobs vacated by staff who have moved on to other employment. This includes former chief librarian Allan Wilson who started a new position as the top librarian at UNBC on Sept. 1. "Many of our staff members recall starting their careers together, some of them more than 20 years ago."
The positions will all be filled, with the library currently advertising for two circulation shift leaders, a circulation clerk and Nechako branch co-ordinator. The library board of trustees is also still searching for Wilson's replacement.
And with the departures coming on positive notes, Palmer said the library is able to take advantage of the opportunity to take stock of their operation.
"We're able to really have great conversations with [those retiring] and internally here about how our needs have changed," she said.
Some of the vacated positions will be updated to fit current community demands.
"We certainly still have high levels of need for service and need for programming and that hasn't lessened over time," said Palmer.
One of those shifts led to the creation of a new teen programming position, which was filled internally.
"We've really seen a huge, huge upswing... in teenage interest and support of the library and we've certainly been expanding our teen programs over the last few years," said Palmer. "So having a person in that position now will really bolster those programs and services that we already provide."
