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Doug Raber Stepping Down, Library Hurries to Find Replacement

(Crystal A. Proxmire, 1/17/2011)

Ferndale Public Library Director Doug Raber is stepping down so that he and his wife Jessica can move out of Michigan for other employment, according to a press release from Library Board President Ann Warner.

Raber was instrumental to planning and launching of the newly remodeled Library, which is now temporarily closed due to flooding from the rain water storage system that was used to make the Library more environmentally-friendly and efficient.  While the Library is expected to re-open in mid-to-late February, Raber’s resignation will be effective Feb. 25, 2011.

The Library Board has announced a special Board meeting to be held at the Library on Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 7pm, where they will be discussing the appointment of an interim director and outline the procedure to be used in the search for a long-term replacement.

In addition to helping with the Library’s new building, Raber was involved in the relocation of the Library to and from a temporary location before the current location officially opened last June.  Raber gave a tour of the new “green” facility in August, which you can read here: http://www.ferndale115.com/20100814greenlib.html.

Many events helped connect the public with the Library, including The Big Read, musical concerts, and activities like magic shows and other programs.  He also traveled with the Ferndale Rotary to accept donations of new youth nonfiction books from the Rotary in Richmond.

Warner said that no further comment can be made until after the meeting on Tuesday. For more information about the Ferndale Public Library, go to their website http://www.ferndale.lib.mi.us/. To read previous Ferndale 115 News stories, go to our Library News Page at http://oaklandcounty115.com/category/library-news/.