ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: July 18, 2002
Author/Local: Eric Smith/(604)331-4018

RTS No. 02882

CC File No. 1380

Council: July 30, 2002

TO: Vancouver City Council

FROM: Vancouver Public Library Board

SUBJECT: Recruitment: Director of the Vancouver Public Library

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council appoint Price Waterhouse Coopers LLP to undertake a national search to recruit a Director for the Vancouver Public Library at an estimated cost of $40,000 (fees and expenses), plus applicable taxes. Source of funding to be the Library's Operating Budget.

LIBRARY BOARD'S COMMENT

The Library Board RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

Council approval is required for appointment of consultants to contracts exceeding $30,000.

Council approval is required for the allocation of funds from Contingency Reserve.

PURPOSE

This report seeks Council approval to appoint Price Waterhouse Coopers LLP to undertake a national search for a Director of the Vancouver Public Library.

BACKGROUND

The Director of the Vancouver Public Library is on long term disability and will not be returning to the Library. The Library Board is proceeding with the recruitment of a new Director.

DISCUSSION

Given the strategic senior management role that the Director of the Vancouver Public Library plays in the organization, it is appropriate to undertake a comprehensive search for a replacement. An RFP was sent to five executive recruitment firms to obtain their interest in conducting a search for a Director of the Vancouver Public Library.

Criteria for evaluating submissions include: experience in recruiting Library Directors or Chief Librarians; experience in recruiting for public libraries; experience in recruiting in the public sector; experience in recruiting senior financial management positions, both in the public and private sectors; qualifications of the consulting team and research resources; reputation for successful searches, both internally and externally; ability to access candidates on a nation-wide basis; an understanding of the corporate culture of the library; thoroughness of the search process; fees and guarantee.

CONCLUSION

Based on the evaluation, the Vancouver Public Library Board is recommending that Council appoint the firm of Price Waterhouse Coopers LLP to undertake this search at an estimated cost of $40,000 (fees and expenses), plus applicable taxes. The source of funding for this assignment will be the Library's Operating Budget.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver