Interim director appointed to lead library district

The Springfield-Greene County Library Board of Trustees has appointed an interim leader as longtime Executive Director Regina Greer Cooper prepares to retire.

Jim Schmidt, the library district's associate director, is scheduled to start his interim leadership role on Dec. 30, according to a news release. Cooper previously announced she would retire from the system at year's end after 15 years leading the organization.

“I look forward to working with the board of trustees and library staff to create continuity and enhance communication as the search for a new executive director progresses," Schmidt said in the release. "The hope is to create stability so the board can find the right candidate for the residents of Greene County."

The library board, which comprises four representatives appointed by the Greene County Commission and five individuals appointed by the city of Springfield, previously announced they had started the process to find Cooper's successor. The finance and personnel committee was appointed by the board as the search committee.