La Conner Weekly News - Your independent hometown award-winning newspaper

Joy Neal has been asked to retire. The director of the La Conner Regional Library was told at that board’s monthly meeting Nov. 12 that her retirement would be accepted.

Last Wednesday, the board provided this statement:

“The Board of Trustees of the La Conner Regional Library District announces that after more than 15 years of dedicated service, Library Director Joy Neal is retiring.

“During her tenure Joy has led the library through increased access to digital resources including online books and audio books for library patrons. Recognizing the need for increased space to provide new and enhanced library programs, Joy worked with the library board to secure a new location for the library in 2012. A foundation was created to head up a campaign to secure funds for construction of the new building. Groundbreaking will take place next summer.

“Joy is a longtime member of Kiwanis Club of La Conner and currently serves as Vice President of the Pacific Northwest Quilt & Fiber Arts Museum.

“The Board plans a retirement reception for Joy with more information to be available in the coming weeks.”

Board Chair Jean Markert did not speak to the reasons the Board asked Neal to step down, saying only “We feel like the board is moving in a different direction” in a phone call with the Weekly News Tuesday. She declined to say more.

Neal’s last day will be Nov. 30, when she will be serving at the La Conner Library Foundation’s holiday tea at Christianson’s Nursery. She has an annual contract, which runs through December.

Neal said she will continue her roles with the Kiwanis and the quilt museum.

Joan Scarboro, president of Friends of the Library, told members at Monday’s monthly meeting, “the bombshell is that Joy is retiring” before she read the Library District Boards letter. There was a murmur among members when they heard the letter. Scarboro said they would not discuss it, but that she commiserates with Neal. “It is going to be a big change,” she said in closing.

Susan Macek, executive director of the La Conner Library Foundation declined to comment except to say, “I wish her well.”

Clark Scarboro noted “Joy’s done a pretty good job for us. She’s been a gift,” after the meeting.

Neal started in La Conner in July 2005, moving from the North Central Regional Library System in Wenatchee.

Neal declined to speak further on the record.

La Conner Regional Library Board members are Jean Markert, chair, Bill Taylor, Robert Hancock, Ran Hinrichs and Kevin Paul.