"The board interviewed three well-qualified candidates, but ultimately decided they have not yet found the right match for the job," Susan Salvesen, acting library co-director, said in a statement.

The board had narrowed the field down to one candidate, Clyde Scoles, director of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library in Ohio. He was in Salt Lake City earlier this week and part of last week to meet with library staff, board members and community leaders.

Scoles said he wasn't offered the job, but there was a "mutual conclusion" that the job was not the "right fit." He worried that Salt Lake City's $13 million library budget was too low.

"Libraries here [in Ohio] are very well-funded. That's an issue Salt Lake City is going to have to face in the future," Scoles said.

But he noted the library is "outstanding" despite its budget constraints.

"I certainly feel honored to [have been] the top candidate," he said.

Britton Lund, the library's other acting director, said the search committee wants a director who can continue with the library's "very unique participatory-management style."

"We currently have a staff that is inspired. They're committed. They're loyal. We want someone who can lead us through the next phases."

Lund said the library's board will reopen the national search at its Sept. 20 meeting. The library's previous director, Nancy Tessman, retired in June.

rwinters@sltrib.com