Hollister - To some, Nora Conte's new job as San Benito's county librarian might seem like a relaxing break after her 30 years in the massive San Jose system. But Conte doesn't see it that way.
"If you look at it from a physical standpoint, then yes, it will be a big change," she said. "But you can also look at what an opportunity it is to be able to be involved in the challenges facing a library serving San Benito County. ... I think this will be one of the biggest challenges of my professional career."
Conte, who is in her mid-50s, said she moved to San Juan Bautista six years ago and has been commuting to San Jose, where she worked as a library manager. When she heard that the county librarian spot was open, Conte decided it might be a good change. She's finishing her first week on the job, and she said nothing's made her regret her choice.
"Every day, I'm more convinced that I made the right decision," Conte said.
According to County Administrative Officer Susan Thompson, "it was really time" for someone new to take the reins of the county library. The previous county librarian left more than two years ago, and San Benito has been making do with interim staffers ever since.
Thompson said the applicant pool was first whittled down by a screening committee that included a local judge, a librarian from Monterey and Friends of the Library representatives. That committee sent Thompson two names, from which she made the final selection.
"We were thrilled to have (Conte) because of her extensive background and experience in San Jose, and because she's a resident of San Juan Bautista," Thompson said.
Conte, for her part, said she was attracted to a community has a real vision of what this library can be. She didn't want to get too specific about the library's challenges or her plans for the future, because she wants to talk to library users, her staff and members of the outside community first.
"The library needs to be designed and developed according to the needs of the people it serves," Conte said.
She added that the library has several assets she can build on - a strong Friends of the Library organization, a committed staff and a collection that reflects the community's diversity. However, Conte did note that funding is an issue.
"We're hoping to develop quality library services, and they need to be supported financially," she said.
While Conte has visited libraries since she was a child, she said her passion for reading developed when she moved from Texas to California in the early 1970s and got her first job in a library.
"I saw how important it was to be able to read, and I realized that I could empower people to learn through reading," she said.
Nowadays, Conte said likes to read management books, and she particularly recommends Stephen Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." But Conte still has a passion for the children's books that first introduced her to reading. Her favorite: "The Little Engine That Could."
Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566, ext. 330 or aha@freelancenews.com.
Anthony Ha Anthony Ha covers local government for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 330 or aha@freelancenews.com.
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