Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Gloria Grimes has taken the reins as director of the Los Gatos Town Library.

Gloria Grimes begins new job as Los Gatos librarian

By Kristin Kusumoto

Gloria Grimes landed the job as director of the Los Gatos Public Library not only because of her expertise in library administration, which she gained from 31 years in the Rancho Palos Verdes library system, but also because of her experience with technology, which will serve the recently upgraded Los Gatos library well.

Grimes had thought that being from southern California might actually work against her. "There's a perception that Northern California libraries select only Northern California candidates," she said.

So she was "surprised and delighted" to learn that she had been hired by Town Manager David Knapp.

It was Grimes' strong combination of skills that made her the best candidate among a number of well-qualified applicants, Knapp said.

Her strengths include managing library staff and working with the public, as well as handling the technology that is necessary to support a public library, according to Knapp. He said he is confident that given the strength of her background, especially her work with technology, Grimes can successfully steer the library into the future.

"If the community wants to build a new library, she's well-equipped to take on that challenge," Knapp said.

Challenge is something that Grimes welcomes in her career. "I'm not afraid to take responsibility, and I have been in charge of the day-to-day operations of a library for many years," she said.

Grimes is the former deputy director of the Rancho Palos Verdes library district system, which serves 70,000 residents.

Having recently completed some major projects, including the installation of an updated computer network with Internet access in the Rancho Palos Verdes library, Grimes said she was eager to move.

She was attracted to Los Gatos because of the of the town manager and the community, she said.

"I'm very excited about being here," Grimes said. She said she is looking forward to seeing redwoods and blue sky with clouds, and experiencing the small-town feel as opposed to urban sprawl.

Grimes began her Los Gatos job Oct. 1. Her goals include getting aquainted with the staff, patrons and community. "I want to provide the best-quality library service in the most cost-effective way," she said.

The library's budget for 1997-98 is just over $1 million. While the Rancho Palos Verdes library system has a budget of $3 million and serves twice the population of Los Gatos, Grimes said that the issues--budget cuts and the needs of the community--are the same.

A self-described military brat, Grimes earned a B.A. in library science from Texas Women's College. She started her career as a reference librarian in the Palos Verdes library district.

Linda Elliott, who worked with Grimes for 10 years as Palos Verdes district library director, was exuberant in her praise.

"I think Los Gatos is very lucky to have her. She's one of the most competent and pleasant librarians I've ever worked with. She has a global vision about how libraries can benefit and serve the community, and yet she can manage the details to bring that vision to fruition," Elliott said.

Grimes succeeds Peggy Murray, who retired.

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