New Executive Director Announced
Poudre River Public Library District’s 2021 Executive Director Search is at its end! Diane Lapierre has been selected as the District’s next Executive Director.
Lapierre is a Colorado native who grew up in Loveland. She is currently the Library Director at the Loveland Public Library, where she has served since 2017.
Prior to that, she served from 2006 to 2017 at the Denver Public Library in the positions of Director of Community Relations and Director of Denver Public Library Friends Foundation. She also served as the Director of Strategic Initiatives in the City Librarian’s Office from 2004 to 2006.
Below, you can find a quote from Lapierre, the news release pertaining to her appointment, and the fact sheet Lapierre provided about herself in the Executive Director Search process.
Diane Lapierre
“I am thrilled to be the next Executive Director of the Poudre River Library District and fully support its mission to enrich the community through universal access to resources for knowledge, innovation, and enjoyment. As we move through a time of tremendous challenges, I am excited about the opportunities to connect with the community and determine the best ways the library can meet the many needs of people who live in the district.”
-Diane Lapierre
What’s Next?
In her role with Poudre River Public Libraries, Lapierre will be responsible for planning and directing all phases of district operations and helping the library expand its innovative services, collection, and programs. She begins her directorship with the Library District on January 4, 2022. See the full press release pertaining to our new Executive DIrector below.
Overview of the Executive Director Search
Step 1: Open Applications (July – September 2021, Complete)
– The Library Board of Trustees accepts applications in a nationwide search for the new executive director.
Step 2: Board of Trustees Application Review (September 2021, Complete)
– A Library Board of Trustees Hiring Committee conducts a review of the over 30 applicants narrowing the search to select semi-finalists.
Step 3: Board of Trustees Semi-Finalists Interview Process (September 28-29, 2021, Complete)
– Interviewing of selected semi-finalists to identify the best fit for Poudre River Public Library District’s finalists.
Step 4: Finalists visit Fort Collins (October 25-26, 2021)
– Three finalists visited the Library District and met the Fort Collins community on Monday, October 25.
– Library staff and the public had an opportunity to review the finalist’s qualifications and provide feedback about the candidates to the Board of Trustees.
Step 5: Board of Trustees Present Offer to Top Candidate (Late October – Early November 2021)
– The Library Board of Trustees offered the top candidate the Executive Director position following their in-person interviews.
Step 6: New Executive Director begins (1/4/22)
-Dianne Lapierre begins as the new Executive Director of Poudre Library District. In the meantime, Ken Draves, the district’s Deputy Director, will serve as the Interim Executive Director.
Your ideas about the future of the District and its leadership were essential to this process. Thank you to Library staff, stakeholders, community members who provided feedback about the candidates to help the Library Board of Trustees make a decision.