City's top librarian departs

Stating that it’s time for a change, Thunder Bay Public Library board members announced Thursday the departure of chief librarian and CEO Gina La Force.

“We have decided as a board for some changes in administration,” said library board chairman Terrance Yahn during a brief telephone interview with CKPR radio Thursday afternoon. “From the board’s point of view, we wish to make everyone aware that this is a personnel matter and we’re not going to get into a lot of the details.  

“Suffice it to say, there’s been a parting of ways and the board really wants to get on with the job of finding a suitable candidate to fill that vacancy.”

Yahn wouldn’t say why the board had decided that it was time for a change, and added that he didn’t believe it was fair to deal with personnel matters through the media.  

The board appointed Barbara Philp as Acting Chief Librarian and CEO to fill in while the search for a new chief librarian continues.

“Barbara (Philp) is more than qualified,” Yahn said. “She has helped us in this respect before when we’ve had changes.”

How long Philp will remain in the acting role is unknown for now. Yahn said it could be another couple of months before the board knows what kind of timeline it is working with.

The search for a new CEO comes just two or three months before the new Mary J.L. Black Branch Library is expected to open its doors for the first time in Westfort. Despite that, library board members say it’s business as usual and that there will be no impact on the library’s ongoing construction.