Indian Trails library director says departure planned

The former director of the Indian Trail Public Library said Monday there is nothing suspicious about his resignation, which came one day after voters approved a tax rate increase for the library.

“It was part of the plan,” said Thomas Simiele. “The deal was I would wait and resign after the election.”

Director of the Wheeling-based library since September 2009, Simiele submitted his resignation to the library’s board of trustees on Wednesday. His last day will be in early June. Simiele, 68, would not say if he has another job lined up.

He did say his quitting had nothing to do with Rob Sherman, who filed a complaint last week with the Illinois Board of Elections that accused library officials of improperly promoting the referendum online and via mailings. Simiele has said the library’s attorneys had looked over the materials before they were sent out and believed everything was done to the letter of the law.

“He’s saying that I’m fleeing town which is ridiculous,” Simiele said. “I’m just really proud that our referendum passed. I think we were one of the only referendums that passed in Cook County and I’m proud I was an advocate for that. It’s great for the community.”

A Cleveland native, Simiele was formerly deputy director of the Euclid Public Library in Euclid, Ohio, and director of the Bristol Public Library and Museum in Bristolville, Ohio. He also has practiced law for more than 25 years and once served as the general counsel for the Cleveland City School District.

“I went to library school about seven years ago,” Simiele said. “I figured libraries were a lot less hassle than litigation.”

Simiele declined to discuss his professional future, instead referring to a prepared release from the library.

Board Vice President Henry Hackney said Friday, “It didn’t work out. He resigned.” He declined to discuss the matter further, referring a reporter to a library news release.

Meanwhile, Indian Trails officials have hired Michael Madden to be interim director until a permanent director is selected. His first day is Monday.

Madden was director of the Schaumburg Township District Library for 41 years before retiring in 2008.

The Indian Trails Library District includes much of Wheeling and Buffalo Grove, plus smaller areas of Prospect Heights and Arlington Heights.