Indy Library Interim CEO Talks Transparency
(photo courtesy of our partners at WFYI)
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe interim chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Public Library says his goal is to build and rebuild relationships and trust for the library. In an interview with Terri Dee from our partners at WFYI, Jim Helling said transparency will be a “huge part” of his role following last month’s resignation of CEO Jackie Nytes.
Nytes resigned after 23 years with the library and nearly 10 years as CEO. The move came amid accusations of racism and ableism within the library system. Helling says as he helps the library transition to a new permanent CEO, taking as much input from the “broadest possible set of stakeholders” is important to make the best decisions.
“So our engagement and approachability as the interim CEO, you know, my role is to make sure our house is in order for the next CEO,” Helling said. “But the word that probably captures everything is listening. And partner listening means that if a decision or policy can’t hold up to difficult questions posed by staff or patrons, that it probably wasn’t good enough in the first place. And we need to do better. I think I recognize — I think we all recognize — that when we listen, we learn what we need to improve.”
When Nytes’ resignation was announced, the library said a search process for her permanent successor would begin immediately, though a projected time frame for naming that person was not given.
You can read more from Helling’s interview with WFYI by clicking here.
