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The Delta County Library District has just completed a reorganization of its managerial staff. With vacancies in managers' positions at the Cedaredge library and the literacy department, with the approaching retirement of long-time Hotchkiss manager Rhonda Duclo, and in order to improve internal operations, the library district decided to restructure.

Rather than having a manager at each library, the library district now has two regional managers. One will cover the three North Fork libraries in Crawford, Hotchkiss, and Paonia; the other manager will cover the two west end libraries in Cedaredge and Delta.

"This reorganization reflects how the library district is improving operations when faced with challenges," explains board president Ann Murphy. "It also shows how we are preparing for the district's future by building a solid management structure with a professional staff."

In the North Fork, Kit Stephenson will take the lead position. She has 18 years of library and managerial experience. Most recently Stephenson was the technical services manager and system administrator for the library district.

In the west end, Lea Hart will manage the Delta and Cedaredge libraries. She has over 20 years of library and managerial experience. Hart has been the manager of the Delta library since 2011.

"Kit and Lea are dedicated librarians and well-liked in their communities, so we believe they will be great in these new positions," says district director Annette Choszczyk.

"When faced with reorganizing, we are really fortunate to have two people with their education and experience already working for the library district," Murphy noted.

To fill the literacy position, the library district recently hired Christel Pretorius, who has 33 years of experience in education. "Her background is a plus for managing our district-wide literacy program," Choszczyk comments.

Rhonda Duclo, assistant district director and manager of the Hotchkiss library, is retiring after 30 years. "She has been such an invaluable manager in Hotchkiss and a strong leader over the years," explains Murphy. "She will be greatly missed not only in Hotchkiss but throughout the county."

Myrna Westerman will move into the new collections coordinator position that will focus on maintaining an up-to-date and popular districtwide collection. "Since Myrna is so good at developing collections, she is a natural fit," Choszczyk says. "We are excited to have her working in a more central role." Westerman has been with the library district for 17 years, serving most recently as the Paonia library manager.

Kathy Little will remain at the Crawford library and assist Stephenson as they serve the patrons there and continue to bring great library programming to the community. "Kathy has been a strong library advocate in Crawford and will bring a lot of knowledge and background as she and Kit work together," Choszczyk states. Little has been with the library district for 28 years and served most recently as the Crawford library manager.

"This has not been an easy task, and we are grateful to library personnel for their patience," explains Murphy. "We needed to respond to internal operational challenges and, at the same time, prepare for the future. Our bottom line is to make sure we continue to provide high-quality library services. We believe this reorganization is helping us do just that."

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