Michael Liggett, President

Michael Liggett has been a resident of Fort Collins for the last 43 years. He is a practicing lawyer and is a partner in an eight-attorney law firm, Liggett, Smith & Wilson, P.C. Michael served on the Poudre School District board of education from 1993 to 1997. Since then, Michael has been a co-director of the Poudre School District Think Tank. In addition, Michael was a member of the board of directors for the Fort Collins Baseball Club. During this time, Michael spent four years as the board's President.

Michael earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University. He then attended the University of Seattle School of Law to earn his Juris Doctor degree.

"The transition of library operations from the city of Fort Collins to the Library District is important as it impacts three categories of citizens: the community at large, the patrons of the library and the library staff. The new Library District will be directly accountable to the community. Solely library issues - not the multitude of issues faced by the city of Fort Collins - should drive the leadership of the Library District.

The patrons of the library are the customers of the District. The transition should ensure that lost services are restored and that these services are enhanced in the future. The District should be constructed in a manner that openly welcomes comments, criticisms and ideas from patrons.

Finally, the transition should be done seamlessly so that it does not negatively impact the staff. The transition should include the design of policies that are tailored to the library's function."

(Term expires 3/2012)