Seven people have applied to be the next director of the Lafayette Parish Library System, the Advocate reports.
Former director Danny Gillane and current north regional branch manager Cara Chance have applied. Gillane is currently the system’s interim director; he assumed that role in April after resigning his post as director in 2023, but only after the library board fired him, illegally.
Six of the candidates have master’s degrees in library science, a requirement for the director position under current state law. One candidate is working toward her master’s degrees in library science.
Rep. Josh Carlson, R-Lafayette, sponsored legislation removing that requirement, advocating that it would help the Lafayette system attract more candidates. The bill is awaiting the governor’s signature.
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Progress on the new library has been halting as the library system lost tax revenues and navigated controversies.
A bill that would change the qualifications to become a library director passed the House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon.
The Rapides Parish Public Library system hopes telehealth can expand access to medical care for residents of Glenmora and other towns like it across the rural parish.