Indian Trails Library again seeks a director

For the second time in two years, the Indian Trails Library District, based in Wheeling, is looking for a new director. David Seleb, who has held the job about a year and a half, will become executive director of the Oak Park Public Library.

Walter Salganik, president of the Indian Trails board, said Tuesday he is sad to see Seleb go, but hopes to have a new director in less than six months.

“We have a good library, and we will get several good candidates, I'm sure,” he said. “We have a verbal commitment from a good interim director, but the board has not formally approved the appointment yet.”

Salganik said the parting with Seleb is amicable.

“He's done a good job while he's been with us,” said Salganik. “This one I would attribute to bad luck as far as we're concerned.”

Oak Park's library is slightly larger than Indian Trails and perhaps more prestigious, said Salganik. “I would put it in the same elite category as Naperville, Schaumburg and Arlington Heights,” he said.

Indian Trails is in better shape than it was two years ago when Tom Smiele left immediately after the district passed a tax hike referendum. Smiele had also been at the job 18 months.

A challenge to the referendum results is still pending, because the Illinois Board of Elections could still deliver a slap on the wrist to Indian Trails about the late filing of a form, said Salganik. But the Illinois Supreme Court has ruled against a lawsuit aimed to nullify the successful referendum.

Seleb led the writing of a strategic plan, added staff, built up a branch library, improved library services and leaves the library budget in good shape, said Salganik.

Indian Trails does not offer contracts to directors, Salganik explained, which makes it easier for them to leave. Salganik added he is against giving a contract until a director had proved him or herself for a few years.

The Wheeling-based library district serves 67,000 residents of Wheeling, Buffalo Grove, and Prospect Heights. A few households in Northbrook and Arlington Heights are also in the district.