INTRODUCING OUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JACK BOWER
Hello Broadview!
My name is Jack Bower, and I am pleased to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of the Broadview Public Library District!
Your library is a valuable part of the Broadview community and I am excited to help enrich and expand the services and materials that its dedicated staff and Trustees have been providing for decades.
I come with over twelve years of experience working in Illinois public libraries, most recently as Digital Services Manager at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library. At Arlington Heights, I led many exciting initiatives like starting a “Library of Things” collection, which lends out unusual items, and opening up a makerspace, that enables creators with equipment and expertise.
I grew up nearby in Oak Park and La Grange, went to school in Champaign-Urbana, and I just bought a home in Elmwood Park with my fiance, Anna, last summer. You might see me biking to and from the library most days of the week. I look forward to getting to know Broadview and learning how the library can better meet the community’s needs, wants, and dreams.
I hold a BA in Philosophy from the University of Illinois, and a Master of Library and Information Science degree from Valdosta State University in Georgia. I particularly enjoy leadership roles where I get to motivate and empower a team towards its best work and prioritize to achieve the greatest impact.
As I begin at Broadview Public Library District, my main priority is to welcome everyone back to the building after several difficult years. I want to make each patron feel comfortable using your library to its fullest capacity and taking advantage of our beautiful updated and renovated facilities!
I also want to listen and adapt to the needs of Broadview. Things have changed so much over the past few years. We need to understand and meet your new needs accordingly to demonstrate the library’s maximum value.
Look out for some exciting new offerings coming up. We are rolling out new, faster public computers in our computer lab. They will provide more efficient and pleasurable browsing and working experiences for years to come.
We are also debuting a refreshed website at broadviewlibrary.org. It will deliver easier access to the information you are looking for, including our catalog and programs. It even has a new, beautiful look and is optimized for whatever device you use.
Stay tuned for even more improvements!
I’m looking forward to hearing your feedback and ideas on how I can make the library best serve you. The next time you are in the library, please introduce yourself to me.
Thank you for welcoming me into your community. On behalf of the library, we appreciate your continued support!
Jack Bower, Executive Director
