After only a year on the job, Ryan Brennan, director of the Rogers Free Library, has been hired to take on the same post in North Kingstown.

It’s not a job that normally sees a lot of turnover. At the time of his hiring, he was replacing Joan Prescott, who spent 30 years in the post. He was selected following a search that screened 34 candidates over three rounds of interviews for the position.

A Coventry native who attended Rhode Island College and graduated from URI in 2011 with a master’s degree in Library and Information Science, Mr. Brennan has had a series of jobs in libraries large and small, from Wyoming to North Kingstown to Brookline, most recently serving as a branch director in Dedham, Mass.

It was in North Kingstown that he first cut his teeth on the job, serving initially as an intern there, and then returning to serve as deputy director in 2016-2107. So even though he wasn’t looking for a job, when he was contacted by the chairman of the North Kingstown library board, he was interested in the opportunity to return to his professional roots. He had his first interview in September and his second on Oct. 18; they offered him the position on Oct 19. His last day in Bristol will be Nov. 19.

“It was a mix of things,” said Brennan, of the job offer that turned his eye from Bristol. “North Kingstown is staffed by people I have worked with in the past, and some that I hired. I have long-standing relationships with several board members. It just feels like home. The salary is higher, too.”

Still, both Brennan and Bristol agree it has been a good year.

“I have had a fantastic experience here in Bristol,” said Brennan. “The library has an incredibly supportive Board of Trustees, really energized and fantastic to work with. And I cannot say enough about the passion and care of the staff.”

In a statement, Jackie Katz, chairman of the Rogers Free Library Board of Trustees, said, “Ryan has accomplished more in one year than we could have ever hoped for. He has positioned Rogers Free Library for success in our future. Ryan has laid the groundwork for continued forward momentum.We were lucky to have his energy, ideas, passion, and expertise.”

“It is unfortunate for us, but he needs to do what is best for him.”

As before, until a new director is hired, two licensed librarians employed at Rogers Free will be serving as interim directors. Nancy Kellner and Charlotte Burnham will be sharing the role. The search committee chairman will be Ruth Souto, who is also vice chairman of the Trustees. After commuting to Bristol for much of last year, Brennan moved to town in mid-October, and will now find himself in a reverse commute to North Kingstown, which he’s taking in stride. “I’ll have more time to listen to podcasts,” he said.