Following a sweeping national recruitment effort, the city of Santa Maria announced it has selected a seasoned library services veteran as the new city librarian.
Mary Housel—most recently the managing librarian for adult services and collection development at the Monterey County Free Libraries—will begin work at the Santa Maria Public Library on Jan. 30, 2012, according to city spokesman Mark van de Kamp.
In Monterey, Housel oversaw the southern region of the county’s service area, which includes eight branches. She has previously served as acting director of the Pacific Grove Public Library, as branch librarian for the Orange County Public Library, and in a management position for the Contra Costa County Library.
“I’m very pleased that the city was able to find someone with Mary’s skill set through this recruitment process,” incoming City Manager Rick Haydon said in the release. “We look forward to Mary coming on board in late January, and I know that she’ll be a tremendous asset to not only the library but to the community for years to come.”
Housel has more than 30 years of experience ranging from budget management to policy development and strategic planning. She is a graduate from the University of Utah, and she earned a masters degree in library science from the University of Kentucky and a second master’s degree in public administration from California State University, Long Beach.
“I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to lead the beautiful and inspiring Santa Maria Public Library,” Housel said in a statement. “I look forward to meeting the staff and the community, and working with them to ensure that we are meeting their needs and providing the highest level of service possible.”
As part of her duties, Housel will also oversee three library services branches in Cuyama, Orcutt, and Guadalupe.
This article appears in Dec 29, 2011 – Jan 5, 2012.