Braswell Memorial Library leader resigns; Alston had served as director since June

The Braswell Memorial Library is without a day-to-day leader.

Tikela Alston, who had been serving as the director of library services, resigned, Library Board of Trustees Chairwoman LaShawnda Washington said in email correspondence.

Alston’s resignation was effective as of Sunday, with Saturday having been her last business day of work, Washington said. Personnel policy required Alston to give a 30-day notice of an intention to resign and she did so on March 28, Washington said.

State law does not require local governments or local agencies or entities to disclose the reason for an employee having decided to resign.

The hiring of Alston was announced in a prepared statement in May 2023. Alston took over as director because Catherine Roche was retiring after having served as director of library services since 2014.

Alston was being paid $82,400 a year, Washington said.

The Board of Trustees has not designated the library’s chief point of contact for the public in the meantime, Washington said.

However, operations will continue as normal, just as has been the case in past instances of the absence of a director of library services, Washington said.

The Braswell Memorial Library’s website has an advertisement for the director of library services position, with the starting salary being anywhere from $74,000-$82,400.

The advertisement is seeking candidates who have a master’s degree in library science or library and information sciences from an American Library Association accredited school, along with possession of or the ability to obtain a public library certification from the state.

The advertisement also is seeking candidates with five years of public library experience and at least three years of administrative or supervisory responsibility.

The advertisement also said that candidates must pass a background check and must have a valid North Carolina driver’s license.

The advertisement said that the position is going to remain open until filled.

Alston’s prior experience had included having served as director of the Harold D. Cooley Library in Nashville from late 2019 to early 2022.

Alston also had worked in libraries for the local school system when it was Nash-Rocky Mount Schools. She also has worked in the library systems in Wilson and Wayne counties and for a time in case management in the mental health profession.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from what was N.C. Wesleyan College and a master’s degree in library and information sciences from Drexel University.