VERGENNES — The Bixby Memorial Library board of trustees on Tuesday decided to move forward with a search for the Vergennes landmark’s next director. 
Bixby Board Chairwoman Paula Moore on Tuesday said that advertising for a new library director will begin Feb. 1, with a four-month timetable. 
“Depending on the candidate pool, the board expects to have a new director starting by June 1,” Moore wrote in an email. 
The new director will replace interim Maddy Willwerth, who took over in October. That’s when Director Masha Harris parted ways with the library for reasons that remain unclear. Willwerth has said she will not be a candidate for the permanent position. 
Moore in her email to the Independent described what the Bixby will seek in a new leader. 
We view this as a tremendous opportunity for a leader who can develop partnerships, market the library and advocate for the Bixby,” she wrote. “Our new director will be action-oriented and ready to make a difference. While a master’s degree in library science is preferred, the board is most interested in finding a candidate with managerial experience who has worked either in a library or a nonprofit.” 
The board waited until now to begin the search to give members an opportunity to discuss the qualities they wished to see in a new director. When Harris left, Moore said the board would not act hastily. 
“It’s the board’s intention to take a little time to thoughtfully put together our thoughts about a job search,” she said in October. “It will be on our agenda to really think about what the library is looking for and what strategy we want to use to do this search.” 
The board chose a search committee that will consist of trustees Nial Rele, Laura Mack and Pat Mayo, plus Willwerth, with Rele serving as its chairman. 
“It’s anticipated that community members will be involved in meeting the finalists this spring,” Moore added.