Omaha names library director

Omaha's new public library director says he will work with the Mayor's Office and other city officials to ensure that library funding is “a top priority.”

“The economic situation is my top priority, as it is for pretty much every library system in the country,” Gary Wasdin said today in a telephone interview. “The people of Omaha have made it clear that libraries are very important to them.”

The hiring of Wasdin, 42, was announced today by the Omaha Library Board.

He will start Jan. 4, said Kevin Thompson, president of the Library Board.

Wasdin is currently assistant dean at the University of Alabama Libraries in Tuscaloosa. He was one of three finalists interviewed in Omaha last week.

“We were very pleased with the process we went through,” Thompson said.

“We had a lot of strong candidates for this position. Gary will bring a lot of expertise and knowledge and has shown strategic leadership in his positions in the past.”

Wasdin will be paid $115,000 in Omaha.

He replaces Rivkah Sass, who left earlier this year to become director of public libraries in Sacramento, Calif. Sass was paid $106,000.

Omaha has 12 public library locations. Library officials have dealt with several rounds of budget cuts this year as the city has experienced revenue shortfalls.

Last summer, the Library Board announced several cost-cutting measures, including the temporary closing of the Florence Library.

However, rallies and fundraisers were held, and the branch remained open.

Wasdin said one reason he applied for the Omaha job was the community support for the Florence branch. He said he would help step up fundraising efforts for the libraries.

“I think it's going to be really great to build on that support,” Wasdin said.

The other finalists for the Omaha job were William “Bill” Rodgers, 43, director of the Missouri River Regional Library in Jefferson, Mo., and Harry Williams, 62, director of the Brockton Public Library in Brockton, Mass.

Contact the writer:

444-3100, maggie.obrien@owh.com