The Hennepin County Library Board recommended Wednesday night that a librarian who has been with the system for more than 20 years get the top job.
By a vote of 10 to 1, the board recommended that Lois Langer Thompson be the new library director. Thompson, now the interim director, was chosen over Rivkah Sass, director of the Omaha Public Library.
Board members said they liked Sass' charisma and emphasis on public outreach. But the majority indicated that they wanted continuity at a time when wrinkles in the year-old merger between the county and Minneapolis library systems are still being worked out. They said Thompson has done an excellent job as interim director, and some were concerned that Sass had worked with a much smaller system.
Hennepin County Administrator Richard Johnson will make the final selection and ask the county board to confirm his choice. Johnson said he expects to make a recommendation by the Feb. 10 county board meeting, after doing a background check and negotiating a salary with his choice.
Thompson has worked in branch libraries as well as management positions, including deputy library director and division manager.
MARY JANE SMETANKA
