Atlanta-Fulton PL Director Fired

by Norman Oder -- Library Journal, 06/15/2004

After a bill was passed to reform the board of the Atlanta-Fulton Public Library and to authorize the county manager to hire and fire the director (see Late Bulletins, LJ 5/1/04, p. 13), there was much speculation about the fate of Director Mary Kaye Hooker. A five-year veteran, she was one of four people (along with three board members, only one still on the board) found liable in a race discrimination case that settled for $18 million yet she escaped board censure. Hooker was also the subject of severe criticism by employees, as noted in a workplace audit.

County Manager Thomas Andrews on May 19 announced that Hooker would be dismissed effective June 2. Anne Haimes was appointed interim director effective May 21. Haimes was the senior of two branch group managers. Deputy Director Carolyn Garnes retired in August 2003 and was not replaced, and the Central Library has an acting administrator.