GRAND HAVEN, MI, (November 8, 2021) - On November 2, Loutit District Library’s Board of Trustees voted to approve a succession plan for the library director position. The Board unanimously approved a proposal to name Sara Derdowski as Library Director Select and enter into an employment agreement. Derdowski currently serves as the library’s Assistant Director of Finance & Human Resources. John Martin has been the director of the library since 2011 and will retire from this position at the end of June 2022. John Martin, a 1974 graduate of Grand Haven High School, returned to Grand Haven in 2011 when he was appointed director of Loutit District Library (LDL). Martin served as the library director of the Oak Park Library in Oak Park, Michigan for 21 years prior to accepting the position of director at LDL. In 2021, Martin was awarded the inaugural annual Visionary Award from the Grand Haven Human Relations Commission to honor and celebrate individuals who demonstrate courage in the face of resistance to change by affirming diversity and advocating for justice in the civil and social arenas of the community. For the last decade, Martin has proven himself to be a strong advocate for marginalized and underserved residents of our communities. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Martin led the library in discovering new ways to offer vital services to the community. Martin will work over the next several months to begin training and transferring duties to Derdowski. The choice of Derdowski, an internal hire, as Library Director Select ensures that the projects Martin and the library staff have initiated as part of the library’s 2019-2022 strategic plan will be brought forward to completion. One of Martin’s strengths is his ability to develop partnerships throughout the community. This succession plan allows Martin to introduce Derdowski to stakeholders and ensure that these partnerships will continue to flourish after his retirement. “With Sara, we have a talented leader who is both passionate about the library and vested in our community. We look forward to the future of Loutit District Library under Sara’s leadership,” board president Dave De Young remarked. Sara Derdowski was hired as the Business Manager of LDL in 2018 and assumed the role of Assistant Director of Finance & Human Resources in 2020. Sara’s background in finance and business operations as a CPA has led Loutit District Library to greater fiscal responsibility and astute care for taxpayer dollars. As Assistant Director, Sara has helped develop and implement innovative ideas, streamlined practices and fostered staff talent. “I am pleased and honored to accept the position of Library Director Select,” shared Derdowski. “Over the last three years, it has been a privilege to work alongside John. I am thrilled to be able to build upon the foundation that has been established and I look forward to leading our incredible team to fulfill the library’s mission of expanding horizons, enriching minds, and engaging community". To learn more click here: https://bit.ly/3C2ttzy. -- <http://loutitlibrary.org/> Chelsea McCoy Librarian I / Programming & Marketing she/her (what’s this? <https://www.mypronouns.org/>) 616.850.6917 | loutitlibrary.org 407 Columbus Ave. Grand Haven, MI 49417 Expanding Horizons. Enriching Minds. Engaging Community. <https://www.facebook.com/LoutitDistrictLibrary/> <https://www.instagram.com/loutitlibrary/> <https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJGvakceRtYoYlJabcxzAcw>