The hunt for a Le Mars Public Library director is moving ahead full steam as officials now have a handful of applicants to consider.

The personnel committee met Monday to shorten that list even more, said Randy Becker, president of the library's board of trustees.

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"We are going to be doing interviews the week after Labor Day," he added.

The director position has been vacant since May when Scott Zimmer, who had held the position since 2006, resigned because of "family concerns."

Becker said the board would like the new director to have a master's of library science degree along with some experience working at a public library.

"I think most public libraries prefer that," Becker said. "It's mainly that they have the credentials. I think it's good for them, and it's also good for the library."

The director will be in charge of annual budgeting, staff and other daily operation duties.

Since the Le Mars Public Library is owned by the City of Le Mars, the city council will have the final say on who is hired based on a recommendation from the library board, Becker said.

"We want the director to be an advocate for the library to the city council," he said.

Since Zimmer left, two long-time staff members have been acting as co-directors and working with staff to keep the library running smoothly, Becker said.

"I know they have been putting in a lot of extra time," he said. "I think a new director can really step in and ease some that stress the staff's been under."

Following the personnel committee meeting Monday, where members whittled the number of applicants to two, those picks will attend the library board's October meeting.

From there, one will be chosen and recommended to the city council to be hired for the position.

"Hopefully that person will be on staff the first of November," Becker said.

In addition to soon having a new library director, the Le Mars Public Library has also met the criteria for state accreditation through June 30, 2011.

Every three years officials from the 543 public libraries across Iowa have to reaffirm accreditation.

Library officials do this by filing a report showing their facilities have met 40 required measures and 16 locally selected standards outlined in "In Service to Iowa: Public Library Measures of Quality, Fourth Ed."

Le Mars Public Library is one of 331 libraries to continue its accreditation based on its efforts in all areas of library administration including governance and funding, staffing, library collection, services, public relations, access, and facilities.

Accredited libraries receive a higher rate of compensation through the State Library of Iowa's Enrich Iowa/Direct State Aid program.

They also receive an official certificate signed by Gov. Chet Culver, state librarian Mary Wegner and Monica Gohlinghorst, Iowa Commission of Libraries chairwoman.

"We like to keep our accreditation up to current," Becker said.