THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

TO:	The Honorable the Members of the Board of Regents
FROM:	Richard P. Mills
SUBJECT:	Appointment of Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education
DATE:	February 12, 2007
STRATEGIC GOAL:	1-6
AUTHORIZATION(S):

Executive Summary

Issue for Decision

Will the Board of Regents approve my appointment of Jeffrey W. Cannell to the position of Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education?

Reasons for Consideration

Mr. Cannell, Director of the Albany Public Library, has led a major planning and public engagement campaign which will soon transform this important urban library system. He is now implementing a $50 million strategic facilities plan, which includes the creation and expansion of branch libraries throughout the city of Albany; the plan passed by a public vote of almost 2 to 1. He implemented a major rechartering initiative which turned the Albany Public Library into a public library district, an independent government entity with taxing authority. He was also responsible for extensive building renovations of the Wayne County, North Carolina main library. Mr. Cannell has also introduced extensive outreach to the city’s diverse and underserved neighborhoods, including plans for new branch libraries and currently a bookmobile with computer and web access, books, and the services of a certified librarian. With a successful background in strategic planning, facilities construction, public engagement, management and operations, Mr. Cannell brings a diverse expertise which will be an asset to the Office of Cultural Education and to the creation of its major new facility.

Prior to becoming the Director in Albany, in 1998, Mr. Cannell was Director of the Wayne County Public Library in Goldsboro, North Carolina, from 1993-1998; Manager, Cliffdale Branch, Cumberland County Public Library and Information Center, Fayetteville, North Carolina, from 1991-1993; Branch Manager of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Bookseller for a number of enterprises from 1971-1980 and Reference Librarian at Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, New York. He has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Comparative Literature and a Master of Library Science, both from the State University of New York at Albany.

Proposed Handling

The Board of Regents will review Jeffrey W. Cannell’s credentials and experience in Executive Session on February 13, 2007.

Procedural History

Extensive recruitment was conducted to fill the Deputy Commissioner position during fall 2006. Interviews were conducted by a panel of internal managers and staff and outside experts. Due Diligence was conducted to further evaluate the finalists’ experience and worthiness for appointment. I met with the two finalists.

Recommendation

Accordingly, I recommend that you take the following action.

VOTED, that the Board of Regents accept the appointment of Jeffrey W. Cannell to the position of Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Cultural Education, effective March 22, 2007.