The Windsor Public Library Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Barry Holmes as Chief Executive Officer of Windsor Public Library, effective July 12, 2010. Mr. Holmes comes to Windsor from British Columbia where he previously served as Chief Executive Officer at Greater Victoria Public Library.
Before moving to British Columbia, Mr. Holmes served as Chief Executive Officer at Thunder Bay Public Library, Orangeville Public Library and Kirkland Lake Public Library. He earned an MLIS from the University of Western Ontario and a BA (Honours-double major in Political Studies and History) at the University of Guelph.
Board Chair Ray Guillet, in making the announcement, said that “we are fortunate to be appointing an innovative, public library advocate such as Barry Holmes.
Windsor Public Library has a tradition of innovation and exceptional customer service and I am confident, as are all Board members that Mr. Holmes will build on our tradition and carry us forward to new heights of excellence in the library world.”
While at GVPL, Mr. Holmes implemented a strategic plan which saw a 25 percent increase in circulation while at the same time leading the development and opening of two new innovative library branches. Additionally, he coordinated the first ever operational review and the first ever facilities master plan. The new Windsor CEO also worked hard to harmonize and strengthen the relationship between the Library’s municipal partners.
During his time in Thunder Bay, Barry Holmes was instrumental in creating a virtual library, providing e-commerce services, developing a community computer training centre, undertaking service and program audits and reviewing service and facilities models. Under his leadership the Thunder Bay Public Library received awards from groups as diverse as the provincial historical society and the local chamber of commerce.
Mr. Guillet expressed thanks to Acting CEO Jean Foster, “for her commitment and dedication to WPL these past two years. She has had to face several fractious community issues during her interim appointment and successfully steered us through them,” he said.
The Windsor Public Library non-union salary schedule is harmonized with that of the City of Windsor. Using the existing pay equity salary grid, the CEO position at Windsor Public Library has a salary range of $113,429.63-$137,874.85.