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Chelsea Library Board picks Lori Coryell as new director

Photo by Burrill Strong.
Photo by Burrill Strong.

By Jim Pruitt

Chelsea District Library has chosen a new director.

The Library’s Board of Directors voted unanimously Monday afternoon, Nov. 16, to offer the position to Lori Coryell. Coryell was excited to hear the news as board President Elizabeth Sensoli called her on a speaker phone shortly after the vote.

Coryell is the assistant library director in Ypsilanti, where she has been working for the past 17 years. She was the unanimous choice of the Search Committee and staff and a crowd favorite at a public forum Nov. 7.

Trustee Charlie Taylor said the search process impressed him as did Search Committee Chair Gary Zenz’s leadership.

“The process went smoothly,” Taylor said.

Coryell got the nod due to her qualifications of having so much experience in every facet of library operations, Trustee Susan Brown said.

“She is the most qualified for the position,” Sensoli said.

Coryell’s experience and approaches will mesh very well with what Chelsea is already doing, Taylor said.

For Zenz, it was her experience with introducing new programs in Ypsilanti that include guest artists, authors, poets and operas. Her connection to the Kennedy Center in Washington was another feather in her cap, he said.

“Her presentation (Nov. 7) was quite good,” Zenz said. “She came out of (the Nov. 6) interview as my number one candidate.”

Coryell talked Nov. 7 about the things she has done in her 17 years in the Ypsilanti District Library system, where she is now assistant director.

Coryell’s presentation used slides to emphasize her points which included that 21st Century libraries are a marketplace of ideas. She talked about bringing traveling museum exhibits to Ypsilanti as well as authors, entertainers and poets.

Consultant John Keister will now begin negotiations with Coryell regarding salary and benefits and her expectations and needs. In addition, a background check will be conducted. Coryell is aware of the salary range for the job, Zenz said.

The board entered into closed session to discuss the compensation package.

Keister will notify the other finalists, Emily DeJaegher of Howell and Stephanie Williams of Midland, of the board’s decision.

If you’d like to contact Jim Pruitt, he can be emailed at [email protected].

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