Henderson eyes new library director

The director of the state Department of Museums, Library and Arts has confirmed she will become the new Henderson Library District director.

Joan Kerschner said she will take the district's helm on March 8.

Her appointment was expected to be announced at a meeting of the library board of trustees Thursday morning, but the item was postponed to allow the governor's office time to announce Kerschner's departure.

According to her resume, Kerschner has been in her current position since October 1993. She was appointed by former Gov. Bob Miller as director of the cultural department, which now includes the Division of State Library and Archives, the Division of Museums and History, the state Council on the Arts and state Historic Preservation Office.

"Henderson is just an exciting place," Kerschner said Thursday. "The library district is poised to grow, and I'm excited to be here."

Kerschner said the district needs to upgrade its computer system and possibly develop cooperative programs with schools, museums and other community resources. She also wants to increase the number of books available to residents, many of whom now go to Las Vegas libraries.

The new director was appointed as state librarian and Cabinet member by former Gov. Richard Bryan in 1986. She started her career with the Nevada State Library and Archives in 1973 as documents librarian.

During her tenure at the State Library, Kerschner was appointed to the Depository Library Council of the Public Printer in Washington, D.C. She also served as president of the Nevada Library Association in 1980 and of the Western Council of State Librarians in 1994. She has been a resident of Nevada since 1967.

Kerschner will replace Zuki Landau, who left the director position in December to become the children's librarian at Tobler Elementary School in Las Vegas.

Sun reporter Art Nadler contributed to this story.

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