by Valerie Rojas
Staff Writer
The University of La Verne’s Wilson Library is currently in search of a new head librarian to replace Marlin Heckman, who will be leaving May 23.
Patricia Lyons Basu, Taylor Ruhl and Kenneth Pflueger are the top three candidates currently vying for this position.
Although resumes are still being accepted, these three candidates are the only applicants being considered for employment at this time, said Donna Bentley, reference/access services librarian.
Multiple applicants inquired about this position, but after telephone interviews and evaluations by the search committee, the three candidates were invited to the campus.
They were the best fit in terms of experience and qualifications, Bentley said.
On March 5, March 18, and today, the candidates addressed students and faculty members. The presentations are followed by 15 minute question-and-answer sessions, allowing interested students to speak to the candidates directly.
A 10 to 12 member search committee of ULV faculty is in charge of this librarian search.
Students and staff who are not members of this committee were given the opportunity to include themselves in the hiring process by completing evaluation forms after attending the presentations given by each candidate.
These evaluations are then taken into consideration by the committee as part of the selection process.
Basu is currently the director of libraries at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, Calif. She received her Ph.D. in the history of religions from Princeton University and has been a director of academic libraries for 13 years. Basu’s interests range from information technology to the promotion of library resources and development.
Ruhl holds 22 years of experience as a library director. He is currently the director of library and media services at the Community College of Baltimore County in Essex, Md.
Ruhl holds a doctorate in higher education administration and has a strong interest in fund raising and donor relations.
Pflueger is currently the chief information officer and executive director at Pomona College. He is a strong supporter of private education institutes, as he has worked at various institutions throughout the United States, including California Lutheran University.
“We think we have three good candidates,” Bentley said. “This will be a difficult search for the committee.”
Because ULV’s campus is diverse, with students varying in ages, interests and educational levels, the new librarian must be someone who is able to cater to the needs of a very dispersed population, Bentley said.
“I want a librarian who will treat me like an individual, not just another faceless student,” said freshman Carina Gonzalez. “It’s going to be hard to fill Dr. Heckman’s shoes.”
The search committee is also hoping to hire someone who will fight for the budget to continue meeting the growing technological needs of the library.
“We need someone who is able to fight for the money for those resources and help integrate those resources in the University,” Bentley said.
The committee is hoping to have the new librarian on staff by June 1, or midsummer at the latest, Bentley said.
Ruhl will be giving his final presentation today at 9 a.m., in the Wilson Library Ring Presentation Room 172. All students and faculty are invited to attend.
