Indianapolis Public Library names 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 2015 and is founding director of the Heart 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.

Morley has served because the chief of libraries in cities together with Atlanta and New Orleans. He earned his grasp’s in library science and a doctorate in grownup training from the College of Southern Mississippi.

“I’m honored to be chosen as the brand new CEO of the Indianapolis Public Library and am grateful for the chance to serve this vibrant neighborhood,” Morley stated in a press release after the vote. “I sit up for attending to know the devoted workers as we work collectively to proceed making IndyPL one of the vital dynamic and welcoming libraries within the nation.”

Morley will begin his function throughout the subsequent week.

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

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

“We have now a chance to lastly select somebody who has come up via the ranks of this library,” she stated of Hayes, “who is aware of this metropolis and is aware of the challenges of this metropolis, somebody who has labored onerous and diligently and is an skilled chief, not solely right here however nationally as properly. To disregard that may be a travesty.”

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

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

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

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

Right here is the vote tally from the assembly:

Salinas: Sure

Curtis Bigsbee: Abstained

Raymond Biederman: Sure

Murtadha: No

Payne: No

Dr. TD Robinson: Sure

Tribble: Sure

In a cellphone interview after the assembly, Hayes stated after dedicating the final seven years of her skilled profession to IndyPL and the final 9 months to the workers and residents of Indianapolis, she hopes this subsequent chapter below new management can be an excellent one.

Hayes stated the Heart for Black Literature and Tradition, which she spearheaded, is flourishing below the management of Amirah Malcom and Bryanna Barnes and he or she’s enthusiastic about what the CBLC’s future holds.

Hayes didn’t explicitly state what her subsequent steps can be following the top of her place as interim CEO.

“I really feel good, I’m a girl of religion,” Hayes stated. “I imagine that God goes to order my steps and no matter my subsequent step can be can be an excellent one.”

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

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

Contact workers write Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848 or chloegm@indyrecorder.com. Observe her on Twitter @chloe_mcgowanxx.