OSKALOOSA —
The Oskaloosa Public Library will see a new library director start in September.
Oskaloosa’s Library Board of Trustees Chairperson Michael Sytsma said William Ottens, of Lawrence, Kan., was offered and accepted the library director position with the Oskaloosa Public Library. This was done after a series of Library Board of Trustees meetings, noted Sytsma.
A search committee was formed to field resumes that came in for the library director position, Sytsma said. After interviews of several individuals were conducted, an offer for the position was extended to Ottens, said Sytsma. The library board and search committee were involved in the interviews, he added.
Oskaloosa City Manager Michael Schrock Jr. has been serving as interim library director for the past several weeks. In June, Schrock said he would continue with his regular duties for the city and would not receive any additional pay as interim director of the library.
“Michael has a good hand on what’s going on and invested a lot of time and energy into keeping things going and worked well with our staff that’s in place to help keep things going in the interim,” Sytsma said.
Back in June, the Library Board of Trustees had set a goal of having a new library director in place by Sept. 15, said Sytsma. This came after the resignation of Wanda Gardner as library director.
“I think the fact that we had as many applicants as we did speaks well for our community,” Sytsma said. “Obviously, people researched our community before they would put their application in and it makes me feel good about the town that we had as many people wanting to come and work as our library director as we did.”
Ottens will start working at the Oskaloosa Public Library Sept. 10, Sytsma said. A reception for Ottens will be held at the Oskaloosa Public Library Sept. 13 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
CNHI/Southeast Iowa
New director found for Oskaloosa library
- CNHI/Southeast Iowa
-
-
LIVE BLOG: Massive tornado hits south of OKC
A massive tornado touched down Monday afternoon in Moore, Okla., just south of Oklahoma City. Follow live coverage of the aftermath of the storm.
-
VIDEO: Tumblr sold to Yahoo! for $1.1 billion
Yahoo! has purchased Tumblr for $1.1 billion, hoping to compete more effectively with sites like Google and Facebook.
-
What you need to know about preparing for tornadoes
Tornado survivors and seasoned observers suggest people do two simple things to prepare for tornadoes: Know where to take shelter, and move quickly when the time comes.
-
VIDEO: How technology helps predict tornadoes
At the National Storm Prediction Center in Oklahoma, the team charged with predicting tornadoes relies on ever-changing technology to determine when and where storms may strike.
-
SLIDESHOW: Tornado passes through Oklahoma
A fast-moving storm brought rain, hail and tornadoes to Oklahoma late Sunday afternoon and evening.
-
Reviving downtown's upper stories
Building by building, the upper stories of downtown Ottumwa are coming back to life after some have sat empty for half a century.
-
Alleged counterfeiter arrested
The Knoxville Police Department reports having a suspect in custody who may be responsible for the counterfeit $100 circulating in town.
-
Officer treated and released after injuries from Oklahoma windstorm
Enid, Okla. police officer Lee Friesendahl was treated and released at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center Saturday night after his patrol car was struck by a strong windstorm triggered by a heat burst.
-
'Kindness begets kindness' at Oskaloosa Middle School
Focus on kindness is an attempt to improve school atmosphere and proactively address bullying.
-
Storms forecast to return later Monday
OTTUMWA -- The first severe weather outbreak of the year didn't do as much damage to southeast Iowa as in other areas, but it's likely on to round two today.
-
Kia Optima is a hit with the buying public
When it comes to midsized family sedans, the Kia Optima ranks high on my list for its good looks, economy and value.
-
The story behind the viral deer on a bus video
The way bus driver John Porter tells it, some of his co-workers now call him “John Deer.”
-
Identity-theft victim jailed on culprit’s warrant
Kurt Millard spent most of last weekend in jail, locked up on another man’s arrest warrant. The 26-year-old resident of Joplin, Mo. could not convince his jailers they had the wrong guy.
-
SLIDESHOW: Texas storms damage homes, uproot trees
After a series of tornadoes touched down outside Dallas, residents of many Texas communities are cleaning up.
-
VIDEO: Man hands out Abercrombie clothes on Skid Row in bid to shame brand
Anger has mounted online against clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch due to comments made by its chief executive and its strategy of not making women's clothing in any size above large.
- More CNHI/Southeast Iowa Headlines
-

