The city will hold a public meet-and-greet next week with four finalists for the Cortez Public Library director position, hoping community input will help select the library’s next leader.
The event is set for Dec. 10 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at Cortez City Hall, 123 Roger Smith Ave. It will start with candidates introducing themselves, then speaking with community members in an informal setting, giving residents a chance to ask questions.
City spokesperson Kelly Codner said the format mirrors a similar event held for the city’s finance director hiring process last May and emphasized that community input is key to the selection process.
The city will provide comment cards for residents to share thoughts with hiring officials. The cards offer space to voice opinions, confidence or concerns. Candidates will also meet separately with library staff and later with city officials, Codner said.
The shortlist includes:
- Cullen Dansby of Keller, Texas: Dansby is the circulation and public services manager at Keller Public Library.
- LeRoy Harris of New Ulm, Minnesota: Harris is the programming and technology services librarian at New Ulm Public Library.
- Stephanie O’Connor of Alliance, Nebraska: O’Connor is the library director for the city of Alliance.
- Amanda Peña of Ralston, Nebraska: Peña is the library director for Baright Public Library.
According to the city, more than 30 applications were submitted to recruiting firm Columbia Ltd., which narrowed the field to four finalists after a review process. Typically, the hiring process aims for three candidates, but the four chosen had strong qualifications and experience, Codner said.
The library’s former director, Beth Edson, left earlier this year to prioritize family. Edson held the position for about a year.
Teen Librarian Aidan Grego said the library is heading into 2026 with a continued focus on youth outreach, particularly aimed at drawing in older elementary, middle school and high school students.
While younger children frequently use the library, staff hopes to boost teen engagement by expanding programs and highlighting resources.
“We want more outreach. We want to try and update and build on our collection, so people are getting constant, new and correct information,” he said.
Grego also said the library’s recent move to the AspenCat consortium, a shared system for Colorado libraries, has sharply increased daily activity, with hold requests rising from about eight per day to roughly 30.
In addition to the search for a new director, the library is moving forward with a major technology expansion aimed at teens. A $10,000 LOR Foundation grant will fund new 3D printers, robotics kits, laptops and gaming computers. Staff plans to roll out updated programming next year. The teen area will receive a small redesign to house the new equipment, and staff hopes to create a dedicated lab space in a future remodel.
The tech upgrades remain on track, though spending cannot begin until January. Grego added that the library continues to prioritize outreach and upgrades designed to increase STEM access in Cortez.
Staff also plan to meet with director finalists earlier on Dec. 10, with the library closing early at 4:30 p.m. Usually, the library is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
