Elk Grove library director leaves after less than 10 months
Less than 10 months into the job, Elk Grove Library Director Patrick McDonald is stepping down, officials announced Wednesday.
McDonald plans to continue private nonprofit work and pursue library consulting, according to a news release.
McDonald's resignation takes effect this week, and until a permanent director can be found, Michael Mangini, the library's business manager, will serve as interim director, officials said.
An Arlington Heights native, McDonald came to Elk Grove last September after serving as director of the Huntley Area Public Library District from 2009 to 2013 and director of library experiences in Arlington Heights before that. Before he was hired by the Elk Grove library board, McDonald had been working for the previous 10 months for the World Scholar's Cup, an international series of academic competitions for middle and high school students.
In an interview with the Daily Herald upon his hiring in Elk Grove, McDonald said his last job required more traveling than he wanted to do and he was looking to return to work at a library.
McDonald couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday, but said in the library news release, "I'm thankful to have had the opportunity to serve such a wonderful community. I will always cherish my time in Elk Grove and wish the library, staff, board, the Friends of the Library, and the community nothing but the best going forward."
Library Board President Gil Schumm said the library board would discuss next steps at a special meeting June 24, to be held in closed session. The board will have to decide whether to go back to its list of applicants who applied for the job last summer, or whether to start the search over again. The board contracted with Lynn Elam Consulting to collect applications and do prescreenings of candidates.
"We'll do what we need to do to get the right person for the job," Schumm said.
When asked his reaction to McDonald's departure, Schumm referred to a quote provided in the library news release: "On behalf of the trustees, I'd like to thank Patrick for his service to Elk Grove Village Library. He and the staff accomplished a great deal during his time at the library. We wish him all the best."
The news release cited increases in library material use and coordination of emergency preparedness with the Elk Grove Village Police Department as key staff accomplishments during McDonald's tenure.
McDonald replaced longtime director Lee Maternowski, who retired after 17 years as director and a total of 38 years at the library.
McDonald was earning a base salary of $105,000.