Great Barrington Library Loses Director and Assistant Director in Same Meeting

GREAT BARRINGTON — May 17, 2023 — Great Barrington's library director and assistant director both announced departures at the May 17 Library Trustees meeting, upending the board's pursuit of a state construction grant worth up to $4 million for Ramsdell Library in Housatonic. Library Director Samara told trustees she is "not the right fit" and will stay on only until a replacement is found; Assistant Director Talia Leodari separately confirmed she is leaving June 23 to become curator at the Stockbridge Museum. Trustees chair Pat Hollenbeck, unanimously re-elected to that post, warned that mandatory informational sessions tied to the construction grant are scheduled for the week of May 22 and require the library director's presence, arguing that abandoning the grant would place the full renovation burden "on the backs of taxpayers." Newly elected treasurer Rob Schaefer and new trustee Sandy joined the board at the same meeting. The library also lacks a current strategic plan — a prerequisite for annual state grants worth up to $20,000 — with a long-range plan due to the state by October 1 if the board intends to remain in the construction grant cycle.