Jared Fair new La Conner Library director

The La Conner Regional Library Board of Directors is pleased to announce the hiring of Jared Fair as the new Library Director. Fair, the managing librarian for Yakima Valley Libraries, will join the La Conner Library on April 13.

“Jared’s progressive managerial and leadership experience, which includes supervision of 12 libraries to date in the Yakima Valley Library District, impressed our board, staff and members of the community who participated in our interview process,” said Jean Markert, La Conner Library Board Chair. “As we continue to develop plans for the new La Conner Swinomish Library, Jared’s experiences and enthusiasm will move us forward in improving and developing opportunities and services for the diverse communities we serve.”

Fair, a native of Yakima, manages a staff of 14 as manager of the Yakima Central Library and Southeast Libraries within the district. His experience includes providing training, staffing, fiscal, technical, reference, collection development and programming oversight. He also serves on a number of library district committees and has worked with the YVLD leadership and board on a number of committees including technology, HR/staffing, and strategic planning.

During his tenure with YVLD, Fair gained experience working with diverse populations to address needs and provide resources to support tribal, immigrant and rural communities in their information needs and educational goals. He increased Spanish library services including Spanish language programming for adults and children, bilingual technology resources and increased circulation of Spanish language materials. He has managed libraries within the Yakama Nation and taught English at Heritage University in Toppenish.

Fair has a Master’s of Library and Information Science degree from San Jose State University as well as a Master’s of Letters degree in Shakespeare and Renaissance Dramatic Literature from Mary Baldwin University in Stanton, VA. He received a BA in English from Brigham Young University – Idaho. He and his wife Heidi are the parents of three children.

The library director position attracted 17 applicants from Washington to Florida. Six candidates were interviewed by La Conner Regional Library Board members Jean Markert, Robert Hancock, William Taylor and Kevin Paul; Anacortes Public Library Director Ruth Barefoot; and La Conner Library Interim Director/Foundation director Susan Macek. As a finalist for the position, Fair also met with Brian Wilbur, a senator from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community; Scott Thomas, administrator and attorney, Town of La Conner; B.J. Carol, Friends of La Conner Library; Jim Airy, president, La Conner Library Foundation; and library staff Mat Wend, Katryna Barber and Gem Tartaglia.

“I am delighted by this opportunity,” said Fair. “I look forward to using my education and experience to benefit the La Conner Regional Library during this exciting time in its growth and development. I was impressed by the extent and detail of the interview process and thoroughly enjoyed the time I have spent in discussion with these community leaders. I am very optimistic about our future together.”

Submitted by: La Conner Regional Library