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Irwin spells White at library

Andy White, director of the Durango Public Library, and Jill Seyfarth, with the Library Advisory Board, perform a search on the new digitized Durango Herald files at the library. White, who is moving to Florida, will leave his post May 1.

Durango Public Library Director Andy White will be leaving his post after five years at the helm.

City Manager Ron LeBlanc selected the library’s assistant director, Sandy Irwin, to replace White when he leaves May 1.

Irwin said that she would like to continue the library’s role as community hub. Last year, a record number of people attended the library’s children’s programs, and she attributed this to active and engaging programs the library has started.

“I think that the library of the future has a lot to offer to the community,” she said.

White said that Irwin, in her new role, likely will be faced with balancing the community’s desires for the latest technology against funding.

Durango Public Library was one of the first to lend e-readers with books already loaded on them, and the staff has continued to build the digital collection, White said.

“We’ve tried hard to stay up with technology,” he said.

In addition, White believes Irwin will continue the push for friendly customer service.

“We’re trying to get away from our stereotype image of the mean old woman with a bun,” White said.

During White’s time as the assistant director, the library moved into its new location, and it was a highlight of his time with the library. White replaced Sherry Taber in 2010.

The library also recently finished a remodel of the teenager section in January that was financed in part through donations, he said.

White will be moving to Florida and has not decided if he will continue his career as a librarian.

mshinn@durangoherald.com



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