Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Timberland Regional Library (TRL) Board of Trustees is seeking outside assistance, as the group ramps up its search for a permanent executive director.
The board of trustees is seeking proposals from qualified executive search firms to help with a nationwide recruitment effort.
The move comes a little more than a month after the board of trustees appointed Andrea Heisel as interim executive director, effective Thursday, May 21. Heisel most recently served as library services director for the organization.
“The selection of our next (executive director) is one of the most important decisions the (board) will make,” said TRL Board of Trustees President Brian Mittge in a statement.
“We are committed to a thoughtful and transparent process that includes opportunities for staff, patrons, community partners, and residents throughout our five-county service area to help inform the qualities and leadership attributes we seek in our next (executive director).”
The selected firm will be responsible for managing the recruitment process, including stakeholder engagement, candidate outreach, screening and evaluation, and support through the selection process, said the regional library system in an announcement about the recruitment effort.
Community and stakeholder input is expected to play a large role in the process. Proposals from qualified firms are due by 6 p.m. on Friday, July 10. A search firm is expected to be selected later this month. Request for proposals and submission requirements are available at trl.org/rfp.
Heisel was appointed in the wake of the resignation of former Executive Director Cheryl Heywood, who stepped down on March 25.
Heywood resigned in the midst of a budget crisis that is reshaping the organization, which serves Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific and Thurston counties through 29 libraries, mobile service and online resources.
The financial woes stem from the regional library system failing to meet fiscal policy.
That fiscal policy calls for the Timberland Regional Library (TRL) to have 30 percent of expected revenues in a fiscal year budget’s beginning general fund balance, something that did not happen at the start of 2026 largely because expenses exceeded revenues gleaned from property taxes. As a result, the organization is facing a $3.5 million deficit that it must close.
The regional library disclosed the budget problems earlier this year. That led to organizational changes and operational adjustments, including voluntary and involuntary layoffs, as well as reduced operating schedules at some branches.
3 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Boatyarddog
Heywood probably didn't want to take a pay cut as an executive director so she resigned instead , most likely.
Friday, July 3 Report this
JasonS
No, Ms. Heywood's resignation had nothing to do with not wanting to take a pay cut. In short, she took the opportunity to resign rather than get fired due to managing the library so poorly that the budget is millions of dollars in the red now.
Saturday, July 4 Report this
HappyOlympian
Heywood = the worst. Head of finance and HR also shown the door for being awful even at their best. But Heywood deserves all the credit for creating the dire situation TRL now in and doing that while being over-paid her entire career. Never should have been promoted above librarian.
Sunday, July 5 Report this