The role of chief executive officer at the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library is officially vacant.
Matthew Corbett resigned from the job on July 8 to pursue other opportunities following a leave of absence which officially began on March 13, according to library board chair Licinio Miguelo. He said the board thanks Corbett for his four-plus years of service.
“During his tenure he was instrumental in a number of initiatives that benefited the library and will have a lasting impact,” Miguelo said. “We wish him success in his future endeavours.”
The local library board plans to begin recruitment for a new CEO “in the near future,” according to Miguelo. Meanwhile, Deputy CEO Nina Cunniff will continue as acting CEO — a role she has been fulfilling in Corbett’s absence.
“We remain grateful for her leadership and providing continuity for staff and our community,” the board chair said.
Corbett joined the library as CEO on Dec. 18, 2019. He oversaw a strategic service delivery review and the implementation of the maker space, and helped steer the ship through the province’s second-longest library workers’ strike, among other things.
Holding a master's degree of library science from Western University, Corbett came to the community with experience in three different library settings — the prison library in Penetanguishene, the public library in Tay Township, and the St. Mary’s Public Library, just south of Stratford, Ontario.
Corbett did not respond to requests for comment prior to publication of this article.
— With files from Miriam King
