Kim Blaha will be taking over as director of the Syracuse-Turkey Creek Public Library beginning Jan. 5.

Syracuse-Turkey Creek Public Library board unanimously approved Kim Blaha of Goshen to take over the reins as director of the library during its regular meeting Monday evening. It is a role previously filled by John Castleman, who retired in October.

Blaha has worked at the Middlebury Community Public Library for six years and received her master’s degree in 1986. She stated she found out about the open position through an advertisement posted online.

“We are going to be working on promoting the library,” Blaha said. “We want to make the library more of a presence in Syracuse.” This will be the main goal, especially after the remodel wraps up.

“We are going to try and get our collection organized and circulation up,” she continued, adding, “We want to make the library more accessible and more of a desirable place to be.”

Of her new position, Blaha said, “I’m looking forward to working at the library; I’m excited about the staff and the potential of the library.” She added she is looking forward to being director and being able to make a difference.

“I think (Blaha) will be a great director; she is really trying,” Assistant Director Gisele Vore said.

While Blaha will officially assume her new position Jan. 5, Vore noted she has already decided to come in to help.

The remodel was another topic of discussion with the board approving the purchase of new exterior doors and new cabinet doors in the children’s department.

It was noted work on the Harrison Street entrance will begin at some point after the holidays. Much of the more intensive work will occur after hours since jackhammers will be used.

And it’s back to the drawing board for the upstairs circulation desk with board members wanting a different look and material than what was used for the children’s department’s circulation desk. As part of the process, the library’s design team will be revisiting the original designs for the circulation desk.

The board also welcomed new board member Nancy Nelson. Nelson is filling the vacancy left by Shirley Bobeck, who retired as the board’s long-time treasurer earlier this month.

Next board meeting will be at 6:15 p.m. Jan. 28 in the library.