Eric Magness-Eubank of Salem, Ind., has been chosen by a nine-member selection committee as the new director of the Alpena County Library. He will replace current Director Judi Stillion, who is retiring after 37 years of service to the library.
Magness-Eubank comes to Alpena from the Salem-Washington Township Public Library, where he has served as director since 1998. He is slated to begin his new duties Sept. 8.
"It's a beautiful facility with a very talented staff," Magness-Eubank said. "There's a whole lot to like about the library, and I'm looking forward to continuing an excellent tradition."
The new director, who earned a master of library science degree from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from St. Andrew's Presbyterian College in Laurinburg, N.C., also is impressed with the library's special collections and programming.
"The library has extremely strong special collections and a continually strong tradition of programming," Magness-Eubank said. "That's something I'm going to look to enhance and continue. The library board expressed a very strong desire to continue in that direction, and when it works so well, there's no reason to change."
More than 20 people from across the country and throughout Michigan applied for the director's post. A selection committee comprised of the library's board of trustees, two staff members and two community members reviewed all the candidates, and in June, narrowed their selection to four before making the final decision to go with Magness-Eubank.
"We felt that he had a good understanding of fiscal responsibility and very good technology awareness and skills," said Beverly Masters, president of the board. "He is a strong supporter of First Amendment rights, and has a knowledge and awareness of the importance of special collections."
Masters said the new director also demonstrated creativity and insight, was a good communicator and possesses expertise in developing a collection.
"I think with Eric we will continue to follow the programming and community center path that the library has been on," Masters said.
Magness-Eubank has large shoes to fill in replacing Stillion, who during her tenure has not only brought the library state and national recognition, but also ensured throughout all her years of service that the library remained a vibrant cultural facility fully embraced by the community.
Stillion will remain on the job for several weeks after Magness-Eubank's arrival to help with the transition process. She is impressed with her successor.
"I am excited. I think he'll do a terrific job," Stillion said. "He'll bring a new fresh perspective to the library. I think he's going to be a real addition."
Masters indicated the selection committee is aware of the potential for comparisons to Stillion.
"It's going to be a complete change with Eric, which we decided was a good thing, because that way for anyone who comes in there will be fewer comparisons with new styles and new ideas," she said.
Prior to his most recent position as director of the library in Salem, Magness-Eubank worked as an associate editor for Bell and Howell in Louisville, Ky., from 1997-98; as an instructor at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, from 1995-96; and as a reference librarian at the Tuscaloosa Public Library from 1994-95.
He moves to Alpena with his wife, Karen, who is a tele-communications professor for the University of Eastern New Mexico. The couple enjoys reading, bird-watching and most cultural activities.
Magness-Eubank, whose parents and family are originally from downstate Michigan, said he and his wife have been pleased with the friendliness of the community and all that it has to offer.
"My family roots are in Michigan, so moving back to Michigan is something very attractive to us," he said. "The more we looked at the community of Alpena and the library, I think we'd be very hard-pressed to find a better community or library."
Diane Speer can reached via e-mail at lifestyles@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 354-3111 ext. 322.