Detroit Public Library Director
on Extended Sick Leave
The Detroit Public Library Commission announced December 18 that library director Maurice Wheeler would be taking an extended medical leave effective immediately.
According to a statement from the library’s marketing department, Wheeler has surgery scheduled and anticipates an undetermined period of convalescence. “We look forward to his return,” the statement said. The commission simultaneously named Acting Deputy Director Nancy Skowronski as acting library director.
Meanwhile, the library is facing a 10% budget cut as a result of a $3.1-million reduction in funds from the state of Michigan, and a $1.5-million decrease in projected tax revenue from the city.
Marketing Department spokesman Conrad Welsing said the library will absorb the overall budget reduction by eliminating the “wish we could do” list for 2002. He said right now no staff layoffs, reductions in library hours, or cutbacks in library materials are anticipated. “We have to maintain a quality level of service to our customers and an obligation to our librarians,” he said.
Posted January 14, 2002.
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