PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — After the resignation of the Free Library of Philadelphia’s director last year over complaints of racial discrimination, a 22-member committee has been formed to find a new leader.
The Free Library’s former president and director, Siobhan Reardon, resigned in July over issues of discrimination and lack of diversity in the workplace.
A couple of months later, Free Library Chief of Staff Leslie Walker was appointed the interim director.
Now, a diverse search committee of stakeholders has been formed to find the new head of the library system.
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“To help us shape and imagine what it is we are looking for in our next leader,” said Sade Olanipekun-Lewis, Co-Chair of the Search Committee and incoming Chair of the Board of Trustees.
“There’s a lot of healing that needs to take place at the library internally. We are hoping that this next leader will help navigate that space from a diversity, equity and inclusion perspective for our library, because when we have a library that is representative of our community, we are better able and better visioned to serve our communities.”
The interviews will take place through the spring and summer.
The Free Library Board of Trustees expects to announce a new director shortly after that.
Officials did not initially disclose what the new library leader’s salary will be.