Did Questions Over Kids' Participation in Literacy Program Lead to Library Director's Firing?

Was former Waukee Public Library Director Erik Surber fired earlier this month because of questions raised by library board members on whether his children should attend a literacy program at the facility, or because of a sick day he took?

The Des Moines Register requested emails exchanged between Surber, library board president Brian Hughes, City Administrator Tim Moerman and Mayor Bill Peard from March 18 through April 3. Those emails show Hughes questioned whehter Surber’s children should participate in a literacy program at the library aimed at children who needed help with reading.

According to the Register Hughes replied, “I think this would look bad. Just my thoughts.”

Surber then wrote, “Should I refrain from bringing my children to story time? Should I stop checking out books? I am participating in an activity offered by the library."

Other emails show Surber being out sick one day meant board members were unable to view a webinar during a meeting, the Register reported. He was asked to let library board members know or staff members know if he would be out in the future so they could set-up presentations in his absence.

Our earlier Patch story:

City officials have clarified the timeline of former Waukee Library director Erik Surber's departure from the city.

The library board voted on April 1 to terminate the contract of Erik Surber, who had been on the job since September 2011. In an interview with the Des Moines Register, Surber disputed that account, and said he offered to resign before the meeting.

After being contacted by Patch, Councilman Shane Blanchard, who serves as liaision to the library board, consulted with city officials on the matter. Blanchard says that the board voted unanimously to terminate Surber; the following day Surber submitted a letter of resignation.

Blanchard said that the letter was put in Surber's file, but was a moot issue because he had already been fired.

Surber said it amounts to a difference in vision and he had not violated the employee handbook, according to the Des Moines Register report.

During a phone interview Thursday, Surber, 42, told the Register he offered a resignation letter to city officials prior to the meeting.

“The board and I had different visions,” Surber said. “It’s a difference of where they want to see the library and where I want to see it,” Surber said.

Surber's departure "was likely a difference of personalities for the vision and future plans for our library," Blanchard said.

The library board will turn its attention to finding a new leader for the library. In question is whether city council will support a search firm to aid the search.

Children's librarian Keri Weston-Stoll was appointed on as the interim director. She had previously worked as director of the Carlisle library.