Saskatoon Public Library CEO resigns

As the Saskatoon Public Library pushes forward with its new central library project, it will also need to select a new CEO.

On Monday, the library announced that Carol Cooley, the organization’s CEO and director of libraries, has resigned from her position. No reason was shared, and the organization shared praise for Cooley as she left her post.

“We appreciate the many contributions Ms. Cooley made during her time at SPL,” the library said in a statement.

“She contributed to initiating the new central library project and oversaw the design process during her tenure. She also helped SPL make great strides in our reconciliation efforts and oversaw the modernization of multiple library spaces.”

Carol Cooley, CEO of Saskatoon Public Library, speaks to City Council in 2019. (650 CKOM file photo)

The library said its board will now begin a “comprehensive CEO recruitment process” to choose Cooley’s replacement.

Beth Côté, who has served as the library’s director of public services since 2016, will be taking on the top job on an interim basis.

“We have full confidence in the interim CEO and SPL leadership team and employees to maintain operations through this period,” Jim Siemens, the library’s board chair, said in a statement.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to express our gratitude in advance for their dedication to the community.”

Meanwhile, the library is pushing ahead with its new central branch project, and is currently working “to align the design to the construction budget” after seeing cost-related delays.

Construction is expected to begin this summer, with the new downtown branch expected to open in 2027.

Last week, the library announced that Ledcor Construction Limited was chosen for pre-construction and construction management services for the project, which has a total approved budget of $134 million.

The library promised a “more comprehensive project update” in the coming weeks.