Palo Alto, CA -- Assistant City Manager Emily Harrison today announced that Paula Simpson has been offered the job of Library Director for the City of Palo Alto. Simpson is currently library director of the City of Monterey and she has over 25 years of library experience.

"We had an extensive process to find the best fit for our needs and we received applications from candidates all over the United States," said Harrison. "We're pleased that our choice is someone from the area who knows a lot about the issues facing the Bay Area and California." Harrison indicated that with Council approval the candidate could start her new duties on March 22.

Simpson has been Director of the Monterey Public Library since 1990, reporting to a Library Board. She has had experience with many of the challenges facing Palo Alto, including master planning; facilities needs assessment, planning, renovation and expansion; maximizing staffing resources; youth programs; grant writing; and active community relations.

Simpson holds an MA in Library Science from the University of Minnesota and has worked in libraries in Oregon, Indiana and Illinois. She replaces previous director Mary Jo Levy who retired in 2002.

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