Former library director settles: Librarian to be paid $1,250 for vacation, legal fees

The Greenwood Public Library has reached a settlement with a former director who resigned and then filed several complaints, including a notice that warns of a potential lawsuit.

After resigning late last year, Margaret Hamilton filed a tort claim notice that said the library board forced her to resign and that her employment status should have been discussed in a closed-door meeting. She wrote a letter saying she was owed for unused vacation days and also filed a formal complaint with the state alleging she had been discriminated against because of her age and an upcoming surgery, but that complaint was dismissed.

The Greenwood library settled with Hamilton for $1,250 and a promise to be neutral if contacted for reference checks during job applications, according to a settlement agreement.

Hamilton will keep $250, and the rest of the money will cover her legal fees. She agreed not to sue the library, file any more complaints or make any more claims of wrongdoing.

The library board unanimously accepted the settlement.

Both Hamilton and current library director Cheryl Dobbs declined to comment on the settlement or the complaints.

Hamilton had run the city library system for 23 years until she resigned during a meeting in December, when the library was facing financial difficulties.

had been responsible for managing a staff of more than 50 mostly part-time employees and an annual budget of $2 million.

Late last year, Hamilton came under fire for spending and financial planning when the library faced a projected shortfall of about $400,000. The library was forced to lay off employees, cut hours and close on Sundays to make ends meet.

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