Springfield News Sun Staff Writer, Emanuel Cavallaro
Saturday, June 21, 2008
John McConagha is resigning after five years as director of the Clark County Public Library System, according to a library statement released Friday, June 20.
McConagha said he was leaving because of an illness in his family. His last day at the post is June 30.
“I feel bad,” McConagha said. “I’m really going to miss the board and staff. I really enjoyed working with them.”
McConagha said he had no definite plans for the future except to spend more time with his wife.
During McConagha’s tenure, he oversaw the implementation of a successful plan to update, refurbish and enlarge the library’s five locations in order to draw more patrons, said Allison Peck, a library representative.
“I believe we were up 12 percent this year than we were last year, and last year we were up 7 percent,” Peck said. “So we’ve seen a steady increase in usage.”
The library’s board of trustees has appointed Sally Rizer, the library’s Children’s Services Coordinator, to take over duties as interim director, while they search for a new director.
The library plans to give McConagha a formal send-off in August at a public reception. “We’re certainly going to miss him,” Peck said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0367 or ecavallaro@coxohio.com.