JeffersonCounty Librarian Bill Knott to depart

(LAKEWOOD, COLO.)Today, Bill Knott publicly announced his retirement from Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) after 37 years at its helm. The Library Board of Trustees and staff members were notified on Nov. 26.

"After nearly four decades, I have a rather well-developed sense of the best interests of the Library," Knott said. "And now is the best time to initiate new leadership; I know JCPL will continue to be a successful and effective organization."

The target date for Knott's retirement is April 1, 2008. However, he has told the Library Board of Trustees that he will base his decision on recruitment for his replacement.

Knott began his service at JCPL in 1971 with 11 small libraries-six of which were one-room locations-and a Bookmobile. At that time, 70 staff members served 235,000 JeffersonCounty residents, and the Library offered 207,517 items for library users. Today, Knott manages 515 full- and part-time staff members serving 541,000 JeffersonCounty residents at 10 locations that offer 1.3 million items, including DVDs and downloadable books and music-media not even invented when Knott began his tenure.

In addition to growing the Library's collection six-fold, increasing annual circulation to nearly 6 million items, and building or renovating each of the 10 current locations, Knott is proud to have stayed on the cutting edge of technology. The Library's online resources, including recently added online news capabilities, are its fastest-growing area of service.

"We have truly been blessed to have had Bill as our county librarian over these years," noted Library Board of Trustees Chair Keith Grebe. "His leadership and service will be missed."

Grebe went on to describe Knott's contributions noting that he has been a true leader and innovator in the library community, the County, the State of Colorado and the country.

One such contribution occurred in the early 1980s, with Knott playing a key role in the development and passage of the Colorado Library Confidentiality Law, a response to a growing concern by citizens that anyone could legally access their library records. Knott worked closely with members of the legislature, who unanimously passed a law in 1982 providing library users throughout Colorado with a legal right to privacy.

In 2006, Library and Foundation staff launched a children's literacy program, naming it Knott's Kids in honor of their long-time leader. The interactive program for children ages 6-12 brings fun, educational activities and displays to the 10 libraries in cooperation with cultural organizations, such as the DenverMuseum of Nature & Science and The Wildlife Experience.

One of Knott's final efforts will be to assist the Library Board of Trustees with formation of a new library district - now planned to occur on April 1, 2008.

"The Library has become a vital part of the community, with support from citizens, library users, and state and local policymakers," Knott said. "The voters have shown their confidence and support by dedicating an increased mill levy to the Library, and policymakers clearly recognize the benefit vibrant libraries bring to their communities."

The Library Board of Trustees will appoint Knott's successor. They expect to begin a national search in January, with the assistance of a recruiting firm, and hope to have a new county librarian in place by late spring. An interim county librarian-appointed by the Trustees-will direct the Library beginning in April.

After April, Knott intends to ease gracefully into retirement. "I'll most likely be knee-deep in a mountain stream," he noted.

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About the Jefferson County Public Library
Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) works to enrich the quality of life for all people in the county by providing resources for information, education and recreation. JCPL is the second-largest library in the State of Colorado and in the RockyMountain region. A JCPL library card is the key to a network of 10 libraries and a Bookmobile offering books, periodicals, CDs and DVDs, as well as computer and Internet resources. For more information contact the Jefferson County Public Library's Public Information Office at (303) 275-2203 or visit http://jefferson.lib.co.us

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jackie Powers
Director of Public Information
(303) 275-2203
jpowers@jefferson.lib.co.us

Tracy Aiello
JohnstonWells Public Relations
(303) 623-3366
taiello@johnstonwells.com