For library director, the position is a dream job

For Abbi Dooley, working at a library wasn’t a dream realized until she read a job description.

“To be a librarian wasn’t even on my radar,” she said, recalling that when she was in high school, there was a “very specific track” of college courses prospective librarians took.

“It was something I never thought of. It’s been great,” Dooley added.

Dooley recently celebrated her one-year anniversary as director of the North Lake County Public Library, succeeding Marilyn Trosper last year.

Dooley said that when the position for assistant director became open in March 2016, she read the job description “and realized it was right up my alley.”

Utilizing her business administration degree from the University of Montana, Dooley said she can marry her creativity with the accounting and marketing she studied in college.

EACH DAY at the library for Dooley is different, she said.

While she handles administration aspects including payroll and budgeting, she also oversees weekly staff meetings.

During those meetings, Dooley looks forward to having the full staff’s input on ideas where the library can improve or new programs that can be offered.

Currently, the library employs six full-time employees, including Dooley, along with three active part-time and one summer staff member.

WITHIN DOOLEY’S first year as director, there have been some changes that include shifting the library’s operating hours to reflect opening and closing hours an hour earlier.

“We created a new website that went live in November, and we are still adding to it,” Dooley said.

Patrons that forget their phone charging cords can be assured that they’ll be able to juice up their devices, since two charging stations have been installed.

“It’s been really helpful,” Dooley said, adding that it’s happened to everyone where devices are about to run out of a charge and a cord cannot be found.

The Greater Polson Community Foundation presented the library with a grant for $1,600, which allowed for the purchase, Dooley noted.

A larger change to the library that Dooley has implemented is a reorganization of the books.

For a while, Dooley said that staff has been switching new books to be shown similar to a bookstore, going by genre.

“It’s been a slow process but it’s something we hope to finish this year,” she said.

GOING FORWARD as 2019 progresses, Dooley said that times for children’s activities will be amended to allow for more kids to attend programs.

Also, Dooley added, elections for the library district’s board members will take place May 7, with candidate filing until Feb. 11.

The biggest thing she is preparing for, however, is renovating the building.

“I remember when this building was opened in 1989,” Dooley said, laughing.

The goal is to expand and use the east side of the building where Sandpiper Art Gallery was once housed, where computers will be moved.

General maintenance, including upgrading the electrical system and installing new carpeting are in the plans.

New, more efficient windows will be added, too, Dooley said.

Estimates will be collected and contractors will be selected once the bidding process is completed, she added.

IN HER free time, Dooley enjoys spending time with her two Havenese dogs, Lola and Alice.

She also enjoys spending time with her family, including her parents, grandparents and extended family, all of whom live locally.

To find out more about the North Lake County Public Library, visit northlakecountylibrary.org.