THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, July 6, 1995 TAG: 9507010119
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 05 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JOAN C. STANUS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
When Sally Reed arrives in Norfolk Aug. 16 to head Norfolk's Department of Public Libraries, she'll bring with her a wish list for the 21st century.
At the top of that list is acquiring state-of-the-art computer technology to catapult the Norfolk system into the fast track on the information highway.
``There are lots of opportunities for growth . . . but I really want to begin making moves into a more automated catalog,'' she said. ``A lot of that needs to be done in order for the library to be hooked up to databases across the state and the world.''
Reed admits, however, in times of tight municipal budgets, costly expenditures on that wish list may be slow in coming. But the new library director remains undaunted.
``One of the things that really convinced me to come to Norfolk was the enthusiasm and commitment of city management,'' said Reed, who is leaving her position as director of libraries for Ames, Iowa. ``They're looking for a plan that they can really get their hands around. It makes you feel like you can start with a vision and then back off from there.''
For the last two years, Reed has been instrumental in helping Ames residents develop a community communications plan. That plan included implementing a CD-ROM local network for automated information retrieval and negotiations for an Internet connection between the Ames libraries and the one at Iowa State University.
She also reallocated library employees so that the Ames library system could remain open seven days a week. It is the only library system in Iowa to do so.
When she comes to Norfolk, Reed would like to make many of those same opportunities available to Norfolk patrons.
First, however, she plans on canvassing residents to find out what they want, that they're not getting, from the current library system. In addition to listening, she'll also be meeting with civic leagues and other community groups to tout her wish list.
``Sometimes people need to know what they're missing,'' said Reed, 41. ``People care if they're part of the information age . . . because it's something that's really going to charge our lives.''
A native of Hastings, Neb., Reed has 14 years of experience in library sciences. In addition to heading the library system in Iowa, she has served as director for the Isley Public Library in Middlebury, Vt., and the North Hampton Public Library in North Hampton, N.H.
She is also the author of three books on library management and is currently working on a fourth.
Reed is married and has two children, ages 10 and 11. Her husband is finishing his graduate work in environmental engineering.
She fills the Norfolk position after a yearlong search. Former library director Sue Williams left the post in August 1994 after 11 years of service. She had been with the Norfolk library system for 14 years.
During the search, assistant director Mary Mayer-Hennelly served as acting director. When Reed comes on board, Mayer-Hennelly will return to her original position.
As the city's new library director, Reed will oversee a $3.5 million annual budget, the operations at 12 branches, a bookmobile service, and 60 full-time and 57 part-time employees. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Sally G. Reed
She's coming to Norfolk from Ames, Iowa.
by CNB