JAMESTOWN –Linda Mielke, who was hired in October, 2011 to serve as director of the James Prendergast Library and Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System – is no longer at that position. Mielke’s departure was announced Thursday afternoon in a media release sent out by Prendergast Library Trustee and Treasurer R. Thomas Rankin.
The release reads as follows:
The boards of the Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System and James Prendergast Library Association announce that Linda Mielke is no longer the director of the System and the Prendergast Library. We appreciate Ms. Mielke’s services to the community during her tenure.
Tina Scott has been appointed the Acting Director of both organizations. Library services will continue uninterrupted and both boards will continue to work for the delivery of these services to the citizens of the community and the two counties.
Mielke was the center of controversy earlier this year when a group of citizens and library employees voiced their concern with her role as a director. The concerns continued throughout the year and up until June, when the library board recessed for the summer. While no public meetings of the Prendergast Board of Trustees have taken place during the past two months, at least two executive sessions have taken place.
WRFA will have more details on this story during our Friday Morning News.
randolphmom says
about time i had heard she was horrible..
Laura Simons says
This is the best news that I have heard in months. My hope is that the damage can be corrected and the staff can begin to heal after the eleven month onslaught.
randolphmom says
Me too.
Richard Johnson says
They finally got it almost right. There will still be problems with the library. All who should have went with Linda are not scheduled to be let go. But thank you boards it’s a start.
Someonewhocares says
It’s too bad it’s too late for the dozen good people who are no longer employed at the library.
Margaret Shaw says
I too experienced this woman firsthand when she was library director of Butte County in Northern California. GOOD RIDDANCE! It’s too bad she keeps finding new positions…Signed, “Another someone who cares.”