She said NMC is trying to fill the vacancy with a candidate who is highly qualified and knowledgeable.
Variety learned that Adnan Raza, who was hired last year as academic librarian, was on vacation leave.
Cabrera said Raza was also appointed as acting director of library programs and services.
During the January meeting of the board of regents, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library executive director John Gonzales criticized the “unwarranted behavior” of Raza.
“I ask that your body immediately review and investigate the unjustifiable behavior unbecoming of a professional exhibited by Adnan,” Gonzales told the board.
Yesterday, Gonzales said he had yet to hear from the board regarding his complaint.
He told Variety that NMC needs a responsible library director to provide “optimum service with utmost professionalism at all times.”
When sought for comment, NMC said the college “does not comment publicly on specific personnel matters to protect the privacy of individual employees.”
With Raza on leave, Pacific Collection and CNMI Archives director Herbert Del Rosario is the acting director of library programs and services.
Raza maintains his title of academic librarian, NMC said.
“We are confident in Herbert’s leadership and management abilities during this transition period,” Cabera said. “He will ensure that the library continues to provide students the resources and information they need to achieve their educational goals.”
In looking for a director of library programs and services position, NMC said the individual to be hired for the position will be responsible in overseeing the As Terlaje NMC campus libraries and act as a liaison with the libraries on Rota and Tinian.
The director is also responsible for the planning, development, coordination, supervision, and evaluation of all library services and staff, Cabrera said.
“The NMC library is…home to several other knowledgeable and capable employees who understand the students’ needs for information in a timely and efficient manner,” Cabrera added.
She emphasized that NMC students and community members can expect to receive “the usual, exceptional service and assistance from library staff” while the recruitment process for a new director of library programs and services is underway.
NMC’s library programs and services has three physical branches on the Saipan campus and is responsible for the libraries on Tinian and Rota.
The libraries on the Saipan campus are the Olympio T. Borja Memorial Library, the Pacific Collection/CNMI Archives, and the Curriculum Resource Center, an education library for NMC’s School of Education.
