Retired Library Administrator Becomes Interim Director of Muskego Public Library

Bernie Bellin was named Interim Director of the at last night's Library Board meeting.

Bellin succeeds Jane Genzel, who recently stepped down from the director's chair to return to her previous position at the reference desk. Bellin will stay on board until a new director is hired, which is expected sometime in early 2012.

Bellin is retired and brings a wealth of experience to the table from an extensive variety of past leadership positions, which include director roles in Franklin and Whitefish Bay, as well as administrator of the Lakeshores Library System, which served public libraries in Racine and Walworth counties.

According to his biography distributed to board members last night, he retired from the Lakeshores Library System in 2009 and has kept active in a number of organizations and libraries since.

Among other awards and achievments, Bellin was recognized as the Wisconsin Library's Association 2008 Librarian of the Year.

Per the contract approved at last night's meeting, Bellin will be compensated at no more than $26,250 and is expected to be in the position from today through January 16, 2012.

In meeting with the Board last night, Bellin's credentials were praised by Tom Hennen, director of the Waukesha County Federated Library System; Mayor Kathy Chiaverotti; and Josephine DeVito-Scalzo, acting president of the Library Board. 

Other recent changes for the library include a citizen appointment to the library board.

Mill Valley Principal Linda O'Bryan will join the board as a citizen member. Her appointment was approved by the Common Council earlier this week. Her term will expire on May 1, 2012.