September 2016–The Board of Library Trustees announced that Heidi Dolamore has been named as the Director of Library Services. Currently serving as the assistant director of San Jose Library, Heidi brings ten years of experience in library services in the Bay Area to the Berkeley Public Library.
Recent turbulence with the previous Library Director prompted the Berkeley Board of Library Trustees to hire The Hawkins Company to assist in the new Library Director recruitment. Heidi was selected after The Hawkins Company narrowed the selection to six semi-finalists to appear before a six-person interview panel, consisting of library executives and City of Berkeley leadership which selected the two finalists.
Established in 1893, the Berkeley Public Library has grown from a small reading library to a large Central Library, four branches, and a tool lending library. The Director of Library Services is responsible for directing day to day operations, leading a management team of six and oversees the annual budget of $18 million. Heidi begins her work with the Berkeley Public Library on September 30th. Brett Byers who has built a strong track record for recruiting library leaders nationally led the search. Congratulations Heidi and Berkeley Public Library!