Wood County selects new library director

Michael L. Penrod

BOWLING GREEN — After searching for a new director to lead the Wood County District Public Library, trustees Monday settled on a candidate closer to home.

Assistant Director Michael Penrod, 41, was named acting director effective May 1. He will take the place of longtime Director Elaine Paulette, who is retiring April 30 after working for the library for more than 30 years.

Mr. Penrod, who joined the library staff in 1997 as head of reference, said after the morning meeting that he did not initially apply for the top job at the library, which includes the main library in downtown Bowling Green and a branch in Walbridge.

Officially, the board of trustees agreed after a lengthy executive session to suspend its search for a new director and make Mr. Penrod acting director for six months at an annual salary of $70,000.