On Thursday, November 17, the Traverse des Sioux Library Cooperative (TdSLC) Board of Directors formally endorsed the hiring of a new Executive Director. The new Executive Director will be Ms. Ann Hokanson, currently the Director of the Austin, Minnesota, Public Library. She has a B.A degree (History and International Relations) and a Master’s degree in Library Science, both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Ms. Hokanson brings with her a wide range of experience working with libraries. She has been the Director in Austin for the past thirteen years. Prior to that, she was the Director of the Prescott, Wisconsin, Public Library. She also has experience working as an archivist for the Wisconsin Historical Society and served with the Peace Corps. During her years in the Peace Corps, she worked as a volunteer and trainer for the Trnava District Library, Trnava, Slovakia.
The hiring of Ms. Hokanson completes a long and difficult process for the Board, which is extremely pleased that she has accepted its offer. She will start work in the Mankato office on the first of January. The Board is comprised of one appointee from each of the area’s nine counties, plus a representative from public, school, and academic library staff.