New City Library Board Names Permanent Director

A majority of New City Library Board trustees approved a contract naming the interim director to a permanent position last Thursday. By a five to four vote, the trustees approved an agreement, which listed Maurice “Mitch” Freedman’s job title as director of the library. When Freedman was hired on May 7 by the library board, there was no formal contract.

The library had been without a permanent director for more than a year when Freedman was unanimously appointed as interim director in May. The contract appoints Freedman to the director position through December 2014 at an annual salary of $105,000.

George Jacobson was one of the four who voted against the contract because interim director had been changed to director without discussion.

“It never came to the personnel committee,” said Jacobson, who is a committee member.

Jacobson also noted that once Freedman was brought on board as interim director through December 2014, the position for director was not advertised. He criticized the trustees being given a revised contract at the Thursday meeting without time to review it beforehand.

“The main change was he went from interim to director,” said Jacobson.

Freedman acknowledged the split vote was disappointing.

"Although I would have liked to see a more unified vote, I look forward to working with all members of the board as we put our varied ideas and experiences to work for the New City Library," said Freedman, who was formerly served as director of the Westchester Library System.

Board President Tom Ninan voted in favor of the contract.

"There is no question in my mind that he is the right man for the job," said Ninan in a statement released by the library. "In two short months, he has immersed himself in the day-to-day issues, made recommendations for future library endeavors and developed positive relationships with our patrons, board and staff."

At the meeting the trustees approved the staff association contract which has been pending since 2011. The agreement covers 2011 through 2015.