Missoula County Government: Missoula City-County Library Board Selects Slaven Lee As Library Executive Director

Missoula MT

14 February, 2022

5:59 PM

Description

Press release from the Missoula County Government: 02/14/2022 9:30 AM Media Releases Contact Us Boards, Committees, Councils and Special Districts Current Vacancies Online Application Governing Boards Aging Services Governing Board Airport Authority Board Florence-Carlton Cemetery Board Health Boards Historical Museum Board Library Board Lolo Mosquito Abatement District Board Missoula Urban Transportation District Board Seeley Lake Cemetery District Board Tax Appeal Board Zoning Board of Adjustment Contact Us Help Customer Service Request Page Layout & Usage Site Navigation Site Map Departments, Divisions and Programs Animals & Pets Arts & Culture Birth, Death & Other Records Business Resolutions & Ordinances Community Communications Community Development About Missoula County Mission, Vision & Values Calendar Customer Service Request Elected Officials What is County Government? Frequently Asked Questions Apply for a building permit a burn permit (purchase or activate) County employment a food or lodging license a marriage license a septic permit or well permit a volunteer position on a County board, commission, or committee Contact a crime victim advocate a community council a Missoula County department the Commissioners' Office Donate to the Friends of the Shelter the Friends of the Library the Friends of the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula Email Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Reddit The Missoula City-County Library Board of Trustees is happy to announce its unanimous decision to select Slaven Lee (she/her) as the new Missoula Public Library executive director. An enthusiastic public servant, Lee will succeed the dedicated and stalwart leader Honore Bray following her March 31 retirement.    Lee comes to Missoula from Austin Public Library, Texas, and has held leadership roles in large, complex library systems serving rural and urban communities, including the King County Library System, Washington, and Queens Public Library, New York City.    "In Slaven, we've found a passionate, committed and inspiring leader," board Chair Audra Loyal said. "Someone who is dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion, and creating positive change, and we are fortunate to have her join our cherished Missoula community."   With experience in corporate and public sectors, Lee holds a bachelor's degree in communication and media studies from Ohio University, a master's in library and information science from Emporia State University and is currently enrolled in the public administration certificate program at the University of Montana.    "I'm thrilled and honored to be MPL's next leader." Lee said. "The staff are exceptional, the community and partners are highly engaged, the new building creates so much opportunity and the branches reach patrons beyond downtown. I met so many wonderful people during my interview process and am looking forward to working with such great library advocates. I'm also eager to find even more ways we can be inclusive and welcoming."    Lee will be responsible for establishing, directing and coordinating the strategies, programs and activities of the Missoula Public Library. She'll implement the policies adopted by the board of trustees and further develop strong relationships with both in-house partners and all levels of stakeholders in the community.    Originally from rural Ohio, Lee has family in the Bitterroot Valley, a partner from Missoula and is personally invested in providing outstanding library services in the region. She loves hiking, spending time with her dogs and cooking.   The City-County Missoula Library Board of Trustees is the policy-making body of the library. The six-member board controls the expenditures of the public library fund, the construction or leasing of the library building, and the operations and care of the library. The board of trustees hires the library director, who serves at the pleasure of the board. The Missoula Board of County Commissioners appoints five members, and the Missoula City Council appoints one.    For more information, contact Loyal at [email protected].   To schedule a media interview with Lee, please email her at [email protected].   ###    This press release was produced by the Missoula County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.