Fort Worth Library Director Manya Shorr will leave the city in May, according to a Facebook post from Shorr announcing her departure.
Shorr has led the library system since 2017. In an email to staff March 17, she pointed to several large projects undertaken during her tenure, including the opening of several library branches — Golden Triangle, Reby Cary Youth, La Gran Biblioteca, Rise — and a Fort Worth History Center.
Shorr brought an innovative perspective to the job, Councilmember Elizabeth Beck, who represents the library’s central branch, said. The new library leadership will take over in the midst of Fort Worth working to sell the library’s existing central branch.
“Obviously, with the Central Library in flux… you don’t want to see change,” Beck said. “With Shorr leaving, we’ll want to make sure that that process continues.”
Shorr’s tenure at the helm of the library was not without complications. In December, the Report published a story exposing several security concerns in the city’s library branches.
The Fort Worth Report reached out to city communications officer Reyne Telles for further comment. In an email to her staff, Shorr wrote: “I am not leaving for another job; my boyfriend has accepted an assignment in Japan and I will be going with him. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I could not say no.”
While the city searches for a replacement director, Marilyn Marvin will step in as acting library director. Marvin is currently an assistant library director with the city.
“I leave with confidence that the work will continue because there is one thing that I know is true — libraries change lives,” Shorr wrote.
“The city manager’s team will be working to secure a recruitment firm to assist the city with conducting a national search for Manya’s replacement,” Telles said in a statement.
The city should look to recruit a library director that is forward-thinking, Beck said.
“As our population grows and changes we have to make sure that we’re meeting the people where they are,” Beck said.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect who in the city the Report reached out to for comment regarding Shorr’s departure.
Emily Wolf is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at emily.wolf@fortworthreport.org or via Twitter.
Rachel Behrndt is a government accountability reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at rachel.behrndt@fortworthreport.org or via Twitter.
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