The Warren Library Commission is gearing up for a nationwide search in effort to find a new library director.

Current director Oksana Urban announced several months ago she planned to retire this year.

The commission met on June 25 to discuss the job description that is to be posted on multiple library job boards in July.

City human resources director Jared Gajos attended the meeting and will be helping the commission to create a posting that will draw quality candidates with the right experience to oversee a large city library department.

One of the points of discussion was if experience as a library director or assistant director should be required or if people who have experience as a branch manager or have other leadership experience should be considered.

Trustee and city treasurer Lorie Barnwell said she would prefer to allow people with all of those backgrounds to apply in order to ensure a strong applicant pool.

The library commission posted the job earlier this year and received only three applications. At that time, the body made the decision to redo the process and expand the scope of the search. The commission also discussed the addition of an assistant library director position at the meeting Wednesday night.

Warren currently has four libraries — Civic Center, Burnette, Busch and Miller branches — and is planning to build a fifth library at Underwood Park.

In anticipation of hiring a new director, the Warren City Council approved a $27,305 increase in the salary for that position bringing it to $145,000.

The library commission expects to finalize the job posting at its regular July 17 meeting and launch the search later next month.