The following statement was issued by the King County Library System Board of Trustees on April 27, 2017:
ISSAQUAH, WA – April 27, 2017 – The King County Library System (KCLS) Board of Trustees has appointed a KCLS Foundation board member as interim director of the library system, effective immediately, following the March 29 resignation of former Director Gary Wasdin.
Stephen A. Smith has served on the KCLS Foundation board since 2011, the year he retired from full-time practice as a partner at K&L Gates. Mr. Smith has focused on matters related to free speech, and he has a particular passion for the role that public libraries play in enabling educated participants in democratic society.
“We are fortunate to have such an accomplished, passionate and dedicated scholar at the helm as we begin a nationwide search for a new director,” said Jim Wigfall, KCLS Board President. “Steve Smith brings tremendous integrity to the role, along with deep knowledge of our library system. He has been a tireless supporter of both KCLS and the values that define it.”
Mr. Smith earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Washington, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1972. He was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar at the Columbia University School of Law, and he received his law degree there in 1975. He lives on Mercer Island with his family.
“It’s an honor to help lead this outstanding organization,” Mr. Smith said. “I love libraries and support strongly the essential services they provide to our community. My career involved the protection of freedom of speech, press and information access and I look forward to assisting our public libraries in supporting those liberties for everyone.”
KCLS is one of the busiest libraries in the United States, providing open, non-judgmental and free access to ideas and information to all members of the community. The System strives each day to create the best environment for its patrons.
The Board of Trustees is finalizing its process for filling the director position, and expects the effort to take several months.
Media Contact:
Julie Acteson, Community Relations Director, KCLS
425.369.3273 or jbacteson@kcls.org
