The King County Library System continues its search for its next director, but has narrowed the field to three final candidates.

It was announced Monday, in a press release, that Nicolle Davies, Pam Sandlian Smith and Gary Wasdin all made it to the final round of interviews for KCLS director. The position opened in January for the second time in more than 50 years, when 25-year Director Bill Ptacek left to head the library in Alberta, Canada.

The library system has been conducting a search since February, with public meetings, focus groups and an online survey to gather public input about the key characteristics most important for the new director. The search has been nationwide and conducted by The Hawkins Company and June Garcia LLC.

The three candidates had these comments to make about their approach:

“Staff and library lovers know public libraries are essential in developing life-long learners and that our spaces are ideal for community to gather,” said Davis in the release. “The future for public libraries requires progressive thought regarding technology, space, collections and community partnerships.”

Davies is the executive director of the Arapahoe Library District in Englewood, Colorado.

“Learning is at the heart of our mission,” said Sandlian Smith. “Libraries have always been learning places. Now more than ever, they are becoming a place to interact with information, a place to fulfill one’s dreams and sense of curiosity.”

Sandlian Smith is the director of the Anythink Libraries in the Rangeview Library District of Thornton, Colorado.

“At Omaha Public Library my priorities have been focused externally, building stronger relationships with elected officials, community and business leaders, and philanthropic foundations,” said Wasdin. “These relationships have enabled us to develop a vision and strategy that is intrinsically tied to our city and county.”

Wasdin is the executive director of the Omaha Public Library in Omaha, Nebraska.

A reception is being held on Thursday, Nov. 13 at the KCLS Service Center in Issaquah, where the community is invited to meet the candidates in an informal setting and provide written comments to the Board of Trustees for consideration. The reception is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and located at 960 Newport Way NW, Issaquah. For more information call 425-369-3233 or email mshatcher@kcls.org.