Douglas County library director resigns, board to select interim director
Last summer during the height of the social movement Black Lives Matter, Douglas County Library Director Amy Dodson proposed support of the movement by submitting a diversity statement, following in the footsteps of hundreds of other libraries across the nation.
However, after Douglas County Sheriff Dan Coverley proclaimed the sheriffs office would no longer respond to the library’s call for assistance — a claim he backtracked soon after — Dodson, the library, and Douglas County as a whole were thrust into the national spotlight.
Dodson and the library staff were then investigated by an outside agency, directed by the Douglas County Library Board, which authorized up to $40,000 be spent on the investigation.
Then-Douglas County Chairman Barry Penzel even stated he wanted to cut funding to the library in an email to the sheriff, obtained by News4.
That investigation resulted in findings that neither Dodson nor her staff had violated any policy.
In April 2021, Dodson received the 2021 Paul Howard Award for Courage, which “honors individuals who have exhibited courage for the benefit of library programs or services in the face of adversity.”
Now, according to a press release issued by Douglas County, Amy Dodson has resigned from her post as the library’s director, effective July 9, 2021.
“The Douglas County Library Board will actively be working with the Library staff to provide support and to ensure the same level of library services are provided to the public at the valley and Lake Tahoe branches,” the release states. “The next regular meeting of the Library Board will occur on July 20, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. to discuss the appointment of an interim-director and on July 27, 2021 and the board will discuss a selection process for the position of the next Library Director.”
“The Douglas County Library Board is starting a new five-year strategic plan for the library and we look forward to planning how the library will be serving the community in the future,” said Bonnie Rogers, chairperson of the Douglas County Library Board of Trustees.
It is unknown at this time why Dodson resigned, or what her next steps are. This story will be updated with information from Dodson if she chooses to respond.