After a nationwide recruitment process, the City of Port Townsend has appointed Melody Sky Eisler as the new library director for the Port Townsend Public Library.

Eisler, 34, is currently manager of the Silverdale branch of Kitsap Regional Library and chair of the Kitsap County Arts Board. She has held library management posts at the Boise Public Library and the Garden City Public Library, both in Idaho.

City manager David Timmons said, “I selected Melody on the basis of the panel recommendations as well as a comprehensive interview. She brings the city a fresh perspective, a true dedication to libraries, and experience in building teams and community partnerships. She is a visionary and a passionate leader, someone who will be an excellent ‘face’ of the Port Townsend library.”

Eisler said, “I am deeply honored to serve the city of Port Townsend as your new library director. The city and library of Port Townsend are at a beautiful moment in time to honor your incredible past and to start envisioning a vibrant future. I strive to make a difference every day for my community through servant leadership.”

Her starting annual salary is $80,644. She begins on Feb. 9, 2015.

Eisler was selected from 19 candidates. She was one of four top contenders.

The library has been without a director since librarian Theresa Percy left the library in 2013, after Keith Darrock, also a candidate for the position, reported that Percy had ordered him to collect confidential library patron information to help pass a $3 million library bond. Darrock refused and filed a workplace complaint. Percy resigned. The library has been without a permanent director since that time.