FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2014
After twenty years as a steady, guiding influence to Calvert Library, Board of Library Trustees President Kip Hine’s official service ended in January of 2014. He served on the library board for ten years, took a year off, and then completed a second ten years of service bringing skills attained during his professional career to the Board. He served as President of the Board for eight years.
Mr. Hine also served on the Board of the Southern Maryland Regional Library Association (SMRLA) for about twelve years, many of those as President. Because he is so highly regarded, he was appointed by Governor O’Malley to the Maryland Advisory Council on Libraries (MACL) in 2009, and currently serves as its’ President.
His skill in organizational behavior and personnel helped him to oversee the restructuring of SMRLA and the county libraries upon the retirement of long-time Director Kitty Hurrey, who had been the Director of each County system and the Regional. As part of the restructure, each county library hired their first Director. He assisted with the hiring of a new SMRLA Director, Sharan Marshall, in 1995, the appointment of Calvert Library’s first Director, Patricia Hofmann, in 1995, and the hiring of a new Calvert Library Director, Carrie Plymire, in 2013. He served on many long range planning teams, including Calvert Library, SMRLA, and MACL.
His first project on the Calvert Library board was to research and guide the installation of security systems at each library branch. His building projects included a renovation and addition of the Fairview Branch, a renovation of the Twin Beaches Branch, a major replacement library in Prince Frederick, and most recently, relocating and tripling the size of the Southern Branch.
Under his guidance, the library changed computer systems, implemented Sailor (a state-wide broadband internet service for libraries, schools and local governments), filtered library computers, and hired a collection agency. He has celebrated many occasions with the library, including the 50th anniversary. No one who attended the dedication of the library in Prince Frederick will forget his remarks when he picked up a young child and said, “This is why we built this library.” That was very moving and so true.
Mr. Hine is a gentleman who runs a great meeting, understands the relationship between the board and the Director, and is steady and dependable. He is highly respected by staff, fellow board members, and elected officials.
Sharan Marshall, Director of SMRLA, stated that he is always there to listen and to lend a hand when asked. He is dedicated to the library and appreciative of staff. Carrie Plymire, Director of Calvert Library, has had the pleasure of working with Mr. Hine for six months. She said he has a strong knowledge of the library law and sees the big picture. She also added, “Can we change the bylaws so he can serve on the board forever?”
Marcia Hammett, Branch Manager of Calvert Library Prince Frederick points out his great sense of humor and notes that Mr. Hine does not need to be the center of attention though he actively seeks support from elected officials.
Irene Padilla, State Librarian has worked with Mr. Hine on MACL. She appreciates his sound leadership and guidance. MACL has their first long range plan, created through Mr. Hine’s leadership. Jim Fish, Director of Baltimore County Public Library, has come to know Mr. Hine through MACL. He said he is conscientious, organized and he works hard to bring meaning to MACL.
Patricia Hofmann, former Library Director, worked with Mr. Hine for over nineteen years and for eight of those he was the President of the Board. According to Hofmann, “He has always been steady and reliable and available to give advice. He has been dedicated to the library for twenty years, and has taken that dedication to serve the region and the state, on behalf of better libraries in Maryland. He has trusted library leadership to excel and has expressed appreciation for the hard work of the staff. Mr. Hine is proud to be part of the Calvert library system and the greater Maryland library system. We were fortunate to have him as a Library Board member for twenty years.”
For more information, call Robyn Truslow at Calvert Library Prince Frederick at 410-535-0291 or 301-855-1862.
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Photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvertlibrary/512868638
http://www.flickr.com/photos/calvertlibrary/3498412230
Robyn Truslow
Public Relations Coordinator
Calvert Library
850 Costley Way
Prince Frederick, MD 20678
410-535-0291
410-535-3022 Fax
rtruslow@somd.lib.md.us
