FAYETTEVILLE — Shawna Thorup faces an uncertain future as the executive director of the Fayetteville Public Library.
The library’s board voted, 7-0, Wednesday to place Thorup on administrative leave for two weeks pending further review by an outside party.
The board did not specify what type of outside party they would use.
The stated purpose for two separate closed meetings Tuesday and Wednesday was to discuss personnel matters. Both meetings totaled four hours.
THE TRUSTEES
Fayetteville Public Library Board
Members of the Fayetteville Public Library’s board of trustees are:
Suzanne Clark, president
Elizabeth Jordan, vice president
Kim Agee, secretary
Maylon Rice, treasurer
Daniel Ferritor
Lorraine Brewer
Mike Malone
Source: Staff Report
Thorup was at Wednesday’s meeting but was not present Tuesday. She said she had been on vacation for two weeks and had expected to return to work today.
Thorup said she was surprised to hear about the special meetings but declined to elaborate on what personnel issues were discussed in executive session.
“The board has told me I can’t say anything,” Thorup said, adding, “It was the board’s decision.”
Suzanne Clark, board president, said the meetings were “to address some issues within the library,” but she, too, would not explain those issues.
“The Fayetteville Public Library is exceeding expectations in pretty much every area,” Clark said. “I’m very, very proud of that, and that has been under Shawna’s leadership.”
Thorup has served at the leisure of the board since 2009, when members unanimously voted to hire her as executive director.
Before that, Thorup served for four years as the library’s director of operations. She replaced former executive director Louise Schaper, who retired after 12 years at the library’s helm.
Thorup holds a master’s degree in library science from the University of California, Los Angeles and has been children’s librarian for the Los Angeles Public Library and senior librarian and reference services manager for the Torrance (Calif.) Public Library.
Multiple library employees declined to speculate on the reasons for the special meetings Tuesday and Wednesday.
The library’s director of administrative services, Catherine Rew, said she did not know why Tuesday’s meeting was being held.
Laura Speer, director of library services, echoed Rew’s comment. But, she said of Thorup, “I work very well with her.”
“The people who work here are highly qualified and really do a good job for the citizens of Fayetteville,” said Speer, who will serve as executive director in Thorup’s absence.
Library’s board members are appointed by the mayor, subject to approval from the City Council.
The board is responsible for library money, construction and maintenance, policies and planning and appointing of the library’s executive director.
According to Clark, all other library employees are hired and fired at the discretion of the executive director.
Tony Hernandez contributed to this report