Salt Lake City library director John Spears to move on

John Spears, who has served as the executive director of the Salt Lake City Library since July 2013 is stepping down and has accepted a position at Pikes Peak Library District in Colorado Springs.

The Library Board will begin a search for a new executive director and will assign an acting director to lead the library during the transition, according to a statement from the board.

Spears will continue employment with the library for at least one month to ensure a smooth transition for the community, the board said.

"In his time as executive director, John Spears has had a powerful impact on the city library and Salt Lake City as a whole," said Mimi Charles, library board president. "Although we are sad to see him go, we know the city library is better primed to address current and future issues in our community thanks to his vision and leadership."

During his tenure, the city library opened the Glendale Branch Library; increased partnerships with community organizations, including a program with the Salt Lake City School District that provides a library card to every student during school registration; opened its first creative lab, providing the community with tools and support to realize their creative projects.

On Jan. 30, 2016, The City Library will open its eighth library location in the Marmalade district at 280 W. 500 North.

In a prepared statement, Spears said he has enjoyed his time in Salt Lake City.

"Public libraries are in a state of continual and rapid change to ensure they fulfill the unique needs of their community," he said. "I have no doubt that the board and staff of the city library are well-poised to provide world-class library services that help the people of Salt Lake City fulfill their aspirations for their community."

Spears took the helm from acting library director Linda Hamilton.

She and Karen Okabe were credited with righting the organization after embattled library director Beth Elder stepped down in Oct. 2011.