PORT TOWNSEND — The Silverdale Library manager has been selected as the permanent new Port Townsend Library director.
Melody Sky Eisler is scheduled to begin work Feb. 9, filling a position that has been vacant since July 2013.
Her starting annual salary will be $80,644.
Eisler, who manages the Silverdale branch for the Kitsap Regional Library system, was selected Friday after interviewing with three panels and attending a public meet-and-greet Tuesday night.
City Manager David Timmons said Eisler was “the consensus candidate” who earned the recommendation from city staff, stakeholder and elected and appointed officials committees.
“I selected Melody on the basis of the panel recommendations as well as a comprehensive interview,” Timmons said in a news release.
“She brings the city a fresh perspective, a true dedication to libraries and experience in building teams and community partnerships.
“She is a visionary and passionate leader, someone who will be an excellent ‘face’ for the Port Townsend Library,” Timmons said.
Eisler said, in the same release: “The city and the library are at a beautiful moment in time to honor your incredible past and to start envisioning a vibrant future.”
Four semi-finalists
Eisler, 34, was the youngest of four semi-finalists that included Keith Darrock, 37, currently the Port Townsend Library technical services manager; Jennifer Fenton, 42, training coordinator for the Washington State Library in Olympia; and Maggie Snow, 42, youth services manager for the Anoka County (Minn.) Library.
One of the candidates decided against the position before the final interviews, Timmons said. He would not identify the candidate.
Two were selected as finalists Wednesday. They were not identified.
The four semi-finalists were selected from a field of 19 applicants to fill the position that has been vacant since July 2013 when Theresa Percy took early retirement.
She left after Darrock filed a workplace complaint saying she had advocated passage of a proposed $3 million bond issue for library renovation while on office time.
Since Percy’s retirement, director duties have been assumed by Bev Shelton, a former Port Townsend Library director.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
