Trustees also voted to re-examine the regional library system operating agreement, the initial step in a process that could lead to revamping the three-county system.

Reading from a prepared statement, Bulgin began by acknowledging Findlay’s pending retirement in February 2006 — officially announced during executive session of a FRL board meeting Sept. 13, but left out of meeting minutes — and the underlying controversy regarding finding her replacement.

“There have been rumors and suggestions from several quarters since Gail announced her pending retirement that (Macon County Librarian) Karen Wallace should be, or at least, could be, considered for the job,” Bulgin read. “Karen has told me, privately, that she is interested in the job but that there are too many uncertainties associated with it as FRL is now structured.”

The FRL system services Jackson, Macon and Swain counties. The nine-member regional board of trustees oversees the system and each county’s individual library board.

The uncertainties are in regard to ongoing discussions between Macon County’s local government and Southwestern Community College officials about a proposed agreement that would provide SCC students with library services via the county’s new $5.5 million library currently under construction adjacent to the college’s new campus outside of Franklin.

“We’ve been discussing this ever since we gave the green light to the construction of the campus on Siler Road,” said County Manager Sam Greenwood.

In order for SCC to earn accreditation for its campus, library services must be available. A joint use agreement would most likely provide for additional, research-based materials to be added to the Macon County library’s collection, which could save the college from the expense of constructing a library of its own, Greenwood said.

The county would not receive money for construction, but part of the service agreement could include monies for library operations and personnel, Greenwood said. The full terms of the service agreement should be completed in 2006.

Such negotiations have raised questions about whether talks between SCC and Jackson County in regards to a joint library are continuing. Earlier this year citizens successfully lobbied county commissioners not to build a joint facility at the SCC campus on N.C. 116 near Webster, and rather look for a more central location for a new library.

“I don’t think it has any effect on Jackson County,” said Vance Davidson, a FRL and Jackson County library board member, of the SCC/Macon agreement.

However, the negotiations also have brought up the issue of whether Macon County is looking to withdraw from the Fontana Regional system, which Bulgin said is not the case.

“And we are not considering withdrawing from the Fontana Region. We are simply trying to fulfill our obligations as an advisory board for the Macon County Public Library,” Bulgin read. “The Macon County Public Library Board, as well as the Library Boards of both Jackson and Swain counties, are each responsible to two agencies — our county governments and FRL. We cannot serve just one and ignore the other.”

However, Greenwood contradicted Bulgin’s comments, saying that withdrawing from the system may simply be a matter of time.

“At some point the advantages of being separate will probably outweigh the system, but we’re not there yet,” Greenwood said.

Following a Nov. 4 discussion among Macon County Library board members, Greenwood and Findlay regarding the library’s future and the soon-to-be-empty position of FRL director, Findlay issued a written statement to FRL board members denouncing Macon County board members’ request to delay hiring a new director until system functions could be re-examined.

The director’s position already has been advertised and seven applications received, four of which Findlay said she deemed qualified. Findlay particularly noted an applicant who had previously applied for, been offered and then turned down the job as Swain County librarian.

In Findlay’s statement to the FRL board, written Nov. 10, she referenced Macon County library board members’ supposed recommendation that county librarian Wallace assume the role of interim FRL director, saying that she did not support the move.

“Karen will have to switch gears completely to divide her time and energies, providing leadership for Fontana Regional Library system during this critical time while maintaining the leadership and support roles required for the new Macon County Library building project. These two important jobs should not be minimized by assuming that one person can perform both jobs effectively, responsibly, and adequately,” Bulgin quoted from Findlay’s statement.

“The Regional Director’s position is inherently designed to assume additional responsibilities of an interim county librarian while maintaining the important role of regional administrator and leader. This has been demonstrated on three different occasions, once for the Jackson County Librarian and twice for the Marianna Black Library Librarian. These situations demanded a high level of stamina, endurance, motivation and commitment required of the Regional Director, and I was prepared, proactive and successful in continuing to provide high levels of quality library service in each case,” Bulgin quoted from Findlay’s statement.

Bulgin said the Macon County Library board members had never recommended Wallace for the job, but that he took issue with Findlay’s reasoning for not supporting the idea.

“But the implication here is that the current director possesses the high levels of stamina, endurance, motivation and commitment to perform as both a Regional Director and county librarian and that Karen Wallace does not,” Bulgin read from his own statement. “Nothing could be further from the truth. Karen not only possesses those qualities in abundance, she is capable of maintaining harmony throughout the region while doing it.”

Bulgin closed with a pointed commentary on Findlay’s interaction with board members and the public, saying that her methodology had hindered efforts to construct a new library in Jackson County and would not be allowed to affect Macon County’s future as well.

“And finally, I think that it is precisely the sort of bristly, defensive rhetoric that the Director has used in this communication that has helped to alienate some important allies in Jackson County. And we do not want that to happen in Macon County,” Bulgin read.

With that, Bulgin motioned that FRL board members reconsider the posting of the director’s job vacancy and that the local library boards review the contracts that established the library system and look at other models of operation.

FRL board members went into executive session to have a “more frank” discussion regarding the matter, according to FRL Chairman Ethan Staats — not one of the seven legal reasons for closing a public meeting. The following morning, Staats notified Findlay that the meeting’s minutes should reflect that Wallace would be appointed interim FRL director beginning March 1 for a period of up to one year.

Wallace said that she plans to spend some additional time at FRL headquarters in Bryson City prior to her start date in order to make the transition go more smoothly.

“I’m planning to make my first visit right after Thanksgiving,” Wallace said. “One of the most challenging things is going to be looking toward the future and what changes we can make to respond to the growing population that we have and the lack of increased funds from the state to keep up with that growth.”

Meanwhile, applicants have been notified that the job is no longer available as advertised.

Library users and board members across the FRL region have expressed pleasure in regards to Wallace’s selection as interim director.

“About all I can say is from a personal opinion, I’m glad to see that Karen Wallace was appointed as interim director,” said Don Williamson, a former FRL board member and current Jackson County Library board member. “She is in my estimation the smartest in the system. She’ll do nothing but good things for the Fontana region.”

Wallace could not say whether she is interested in applying for the FRL system director position on a permanent basis, as the system could be going through additional changes as board members look at other system models.