Library Network hires Colorado librarian as new director

Amy Rodda is bringing her 17 years of experience in libraries to North Idaho.

The incoming director accepted her new position at the Community Library Network, the network’s board of trustees announced Thursday.

“Amy will be a tremendous asset and will help us continue to build the dynamic library system we have,” board chair Katie Blank said in a statement. “We are very happy to welcome her to the Community Library Network.”

Rodda is finishing work at her current position, serving as head of the Adult Services division of the Pike’s Peak Library District in Colorado. That network serves more than 660,000, most of whom live in Colorado Springs.

Rodda replaces John Hartung, who will retire after almost 42 years with the network. Hartung said that after his last day on April 26, he’s going to sail his 15-foot boat, play his clarinet — hopefully with the Panhandle Symphony Orchestra, should it resume a post-pandemic schedule — and travel, starting with a long-promised trip to Ireland with his more-than-patient wife, Joan.

“I’m really going to miss working with the people here,” Hartung said. “That’s what I’ll miss the most — this terrific staff that the new director will be inheriting.”

When asked what advice he would give to the incoming director, Hartung said the position requires patience and flexibility.

“You have to be able to have the flexibility to accept change and roll with those changes,” he said. “I’ve always seen myself in this role as a change agent, because the network is always changing. The community is always changing. You have to have the willingness and the flexibility to change with the community’s needs.”

Rodda said she’s excited for May 3, her first day in her new role. She said the work that keeps libraries open and vibrant is a passion she’s always nurtured.

“I’m really excited,” she said in a phone interview from Colorado. “I think the Community Library Network is doing some really great things in the community. I look forward to helping the network remain involved and relevant in the community, and I look forward to helping the network continue to meet the growing demands of the community.”

While she is a seasoned professional who knows her way around a library, Rodda mentioned she was excited to come up to North Idaho and get her feet wet — literally.

“I’ve travelled through a couple of different times,” she said. “It’s a lovely area. It’s really beautiful. Coming from Colorado, I’m not unfamiliar with the allure of mountains, but what’s great about North Idaho is: You have water. We don’t really have any water here in Colorado, so I’m looking forward to that.”

Rodda takes over the network with branches in Post Falls, Athol, Harrison, Hayden, Pinehurst, Rathdrum and Spirit Lake, as well as the Bookmobile. She will work out of the network’s main offices in Post Falls.