Britton Lund, the library's assistant director; Elizabeth Elder, the Denver Public Library's director of planning; and Kathlin Ray, a librarian at the United Arab Emirates' American University of Sharjah, are vying for the post.

Former Director Nancy Tessman retired in June and this is the second time the library's board of directors has winnowed its search to three top contenders. In August, board members opted not to offer the job to their then No. 1 candidate, Clyde Scoles, director of Ohio's Toledo-Lucas County Public Library.

"Our standards are high," Helen Rollins, president of the library board, said Tuesday. "We're filling the shoes of a very popular and excellent library director."

After two public panel discussions with the candidates next week, the library's search committee expects to present its choice to the library board at its March 20 meeting, Rollins said. The board could make the final decision at that meeting.

"I'm very confident that we'll make an offer for a job to one of these women," she said, "and equally confident - and hopeful - that they'll accept it."

rwinters@sltrib.com