Indianapolis Public Library names Gabriel Morley new CEO

Indianapolis Public Library introduced Gabriel Morley as its subsequent CEO throughout a board assembly Dec. 8. The opposite finalist for the place was present interim CEO Nichelle M. Hayes.

The library’s earlier CEO, Jackie Nytes, resigned in August 2021 amid allegations of racism.

Many on the packed assembly have been hoping the board would select Hayes, who has labored on the library since 2016 and is founding director of the Middle for Black Literature and Tradition. Some shouted “disgrace” at board members and informed board president Jose Salinas he can be held accountable.

The assembly lasted lower than 10 minutes.

Board members Khaula Murtadha and Patricia Payne have been essentially the most vocal throughout the assembly about their disappointment.

Murtadha mentioned the board acquired written and verbal remark from the neighborhood and that the choice to supply Morley the CEO job as an alternative of Hayes “is towards what the neighborhood has informed us.”

“Now we have a possibility to lastly select somebody who has come up by the ranks of this library,” she mentioned of Hayes, “who is aware of this metropolis and is aware of the challenges of this metropolis, somebody who has labored exhausting and diligently and is an skilled chief, not solely right here however nationally as effectively. To disregard that may be a travesty.”

Payne mentioned it was a disgrace to be a part of the board.

“However I don’t intend to step down,” she mentioned. “I intend to serve out my time period and simply have a look at what’s gonna occur once you carry on this unqualified individual.”

Board member Hope Tribble, who voted to approve the decision that prolonged the provide to Morley, mentioned after the assembly the method to discover a CEO “included the neighborhood from the very starting.”

“Our duty is to decide on the perfect candidate,” Tribble mentioned in response to a query about why the board would cross over a Black girl for a place that’s open due to accusations of racism.

Since April, IndyPL’s Board of Trustees’ Range, Coverage & HR Committee has labored with a CEO search committee to herald candidates for consideration. Hayes and Morley gave public displays Nov. 30 to element their visions for the way forward for the library.

Following the displays, the board carried out closed interviews with every the candidates earlier than voting.

This story will probably be up to date.