For Immediate Release Contact: Matt Wiliford Marketing & Communications Manager Traverse Area District Library mwiliford@tadl.org Ph: 231.932.8501 Traverse Area District Library Director to Retire in September 2019 August 27, 2019 (Traverse City, MI) – Traverse Area District Library (TADL) Director Gail Parsons Juett will retire from her position effective September 30, 2019. She was named Library Director in February 2015 and, under her leadership, strove to ensure financial stability and reduce long-term liabilities while advancing the public services of the Traverse Area District Library. “It has been a tremendous honor to serve our libraries and communities over the past almost eleven years at TADL, especially the past four years as Library Director,” said Juett. “We’ve been able to accomplish a lot during this time because of our very talented and dedicated staff, engaged partners, thoughtful Trustees, generous donors, and a supportive community. As I reflect on my time at TADL, I feel privileged to have led the best library system in our state and I know that our library system and communities will continue to thrive under new leadership.” First joining TADL in 2008 as the Business Manager, Juett was later promoted to Assistant Director for Human Resources and Finance. She served as the district library’s Interim Director beginning in May 2014, until her permanent appointment as Library Director in February 2015. During her tenure as Director, Juett successfully led the 2016 Operating Millage renewal ballot proposal, was responsible for moving TADL to the Northland Library Cooperative, and secured a favorable exemption of TADL from the TIF2 tax capture. Other notable achievements led by Juett include retiring the mortgage bond for the Main Library building, negotiating the acceptance of the Traverse City History Center collection of archives and objects, addition of the Charles Saunders Jazz Collection, and a renovation of the Youth Services Department including development of the Read to Me corner, Preschool Interactive Learning Area and the Tween Scene, which were funded through private donations. She served on the Michigan Library Association as Treasurer for three years, as Michigan Library Association (MLA) Board Member and MLA liaison to the Board of the Library of Michigan. She has been an active member of the Traverse City Kiwanis Club since 2009, serving as Club President in 2015-16. In 2017, Juett became a member of the National Writers Series Board. Prior to moving to the Grand Traverse area, Juett worked at the Public Libraries of Saginaw for 26 years, most recently holding the position of Head of Hoyt Main Library. The Board of Trustees for the Traverse Area District Library invites colleagues and the community to celebrate Juett’s work on September 22 from 1:00-3:00 p.m., at the TADL Main Library (610 Woodmere Avenue, Traverse City, MI 49686). At the Regular Meeting of the TADL Board of Trustees on June 20, 2019, the Board approved a contract to hire Michele Howard as the incoming director-select. Howard’s official directorship begins on October 1, 2019. ### Matthew Wiliford Marketing & Communications Manager Traverse Area District Library 610 Woodmere Avenue Traverse City, MI 49686 231.932.8501 | www.tadl.org