Gary Wasdin, director of the King County Library System (KCLS) since January 2015, has resigned.
“KCLS is committed to providing a welcoming environment for all of its users,” said Jim Wigfall, KCLS board president in a statement Wednesday on the library system’s website. “When it came to our attention that Mr. Wasdin violated KCLS’ code of conduct, the board took immediate action. Mr. Wasdin has chosen to resign his position effective immediately, and the board fully agrees with this decision.”
KCLS, one of the busiest libraries in the United States, provides open, non-judgmental and free access to ideas and information to all members of the community, according to the statement. The statement didn’t detail how Wasdin violated the code of conduct.
“We look forward to continuing to serve our communities with the highest degree of integrity, professionalism and excellence,” Wigfall said.
Finance Director Dwayne Wilson has been assigned legal signing authority until an interim director is selected by the board.
Wasdin worked five years at the executive director of the Omaha Public Library in Nebraska before taking the KCLS job. He replaced Bill Ptacek, who left in 2013 after 25 years with KCLS to become the CEO of the Calgary Public Library in Canada.
The King County system has 48 branches, including one in Kent.
Wasdin wrote several guest columns for the Kent Reporter about the library system during his time as director.
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