Interim Library Director Arlene Nevens will continue at her temporary post early into 2002, according to the Great Neck Library's board of directors. Ms. Nevens, a department head at the library, has currently held this position for the past six months, since the resignation of former Library Director Christine Salita. Ms. Nevens also served as interim director for a period of time prior to Ms. Salita's appointment.

The board made the announcement at a July 19 special board meeting, with the board's chair of the director search committee, John Drukker, explaining that the committee began the director search six months ago, but has not yet found the right candidate for the job. The position has been advertised, résumés have been received, and interviews have been conducted. However, at this point, according to Mr. Drukker, neither the board nor the staff representatives have been able to find a candidate who has ''met the standards to lead the library into the 21st century.''

Mr. Drukker stated that there would be ''no benefit'' to reopen the search at this point. According to Library Board President Bette Weidman, ''if we reopen the search we will only get the same pool as we have now.'' Both Mr. Drukker and Ms. Weidman expressed the utmost confidence in Ms. Nevens and her work as director.

A new search for a permanent library director will be initiated in January 2002.

Also at the special meeting, the board voted approval to ratify a contract with the Great Neck Library Staff Association. In essence, at the meeting, the board approved a collective bargaining agreement that runs from 2001 through 2004. This contract includes such features as a new salary schedule (with minimums and maximums for all), an expansion of the definition of family sick leave, and a longer length of service period required for continuing insurance during retirement.

However, the contract cannot be finalized until the Library Staff Association also ratifies this agreement. According to Harriet Fargnoli, chair of the association's negotiating committee (and immediate past president of the association), the association membership is scheduled to vote on Aug. 1. ''I think they will ratify the contract,'' said Ms. Fargnoli, in an interview with the Great Neck Record a few days after the board meeting. She continued, stating that ''Both sides gave something up ... but it (the contract) is fair in today's economic climate.'' She said that she does not anticipate that the staff association membership will turn down the contract.

A third issue discussed at the meeting was the creation of a new, full-time, young adult librarian position. The board approved this new position. Ms. Nevens explained that there had been such a position from 1970 to 1987, but when that person left, the position was down-graded to part-time (''I don't know why.'') And there have been several part-time young adult librarians.

At this point, the part-time young adult librarian works 17 hours per week, and the position is under the auspices of the library's reference department. There is also now another 11 hour per week reference position open, and the two could be combined for one full-time young adult librarian position, with the addition of seven more hours per week. The position would also include benefits, and Ms. Nevens said that a benefit position had also just opened up.

Ms. Nevens said that such a position ''is particularly in demand ... and few specialize.'' She added that such a position ''should be in a library this size.'' According to Ms. Nevens, a young adult librarian would produce age-appropriate reading lists, ''focus on teen needs,'' and help the other librarians become attuned to the needs and interests of students sixth grade through high school. This new librarian would also help out, in the specialty, at the library's branches.

The board also approved hiring a consultant to help in the process of recruiting a network administrator for the library. Ms. Nevens explained that professional guidance is necessary for this hiring process. The board approved a consultant with a limit of $1000 to be spent for this purpose.