[kids-lib] FW: [Libs-Or] B.J. Toewe named Salem Public Library Administrator

[GINNANE Mary J]

Hi everyone,
Let’s be proud of B.J. (see below!) Youth librarians do rule!
Mary
From: libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us [mailto:libs-or-bounces at listsmart.osl.state.or.us] On Behalf Of Sonja Somerville
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 12:47 PM
To: libs-or at listsmart.osl.state.or.us
Subject: [Libs-Or] B.J. Toewe named Salem Public Library Administrator

Following a nationwide search, long-time Salem Public Library Youth Services Manager B.J. Toewe has been selected as the new Salem Public Library Administrator.

In this new position, Toewe will lead all operations for the Salem Public Library, which serves the residents of Salem, Oregon at a Central Library downtown and a branch in West Salem. Salem Public Library is a division of the City of Salem and a member of the Chemeketa Cooperative Regional Library Service, which links 18 member libraries with a shared electronic catalog and courier service.

"With her track record of developing and leading successful library programs, B.J. is a tremendous asset for our community,” said Deputy City Manager Sean O’Day. “I am very pleased BJ has accepted this position and look forward to the many accomplishments that await her.”

B.J. Toewe is a native of eastern Pennsylvania who began her library career as the Youth Services Manager at a county library in New Jersey after earning her masters in library science from Rutgers University. In 1982, Toewe accepted the position of Youth Services Manager at Salem Public Library. Since July 2009, Toewe has served as interim Library Manager.

“I am delighted to be selected as Library Administrator,” Toewe said. “I have loved being a part of Salem and Salem Public Library. I look forward to taking on new challenges and serving our community in this new capacity.”

During her tenure as Youth Services Manager, Toewe has cultivated a thriving program of service to children and families that offers eight storytimes weekly, an ambitious annual Summer Reading Program, children’s book groups, parent and day care provider training, and a multitude of opportunities for child and family learning and fun. Toewe has launched the annual Great Library Camp-In, established the library’s Discovery Room, and is currently leading the effort to create a separate Teen Library area within the Central Library.

Toewe is the 1990 recipient of the Oregon Library Association’s Evelyn Sibley Lampman Award, recognizing significant contributions to children’s services in Oregon, and the 2005 honoree for the OLA Distinguished Service Award, recognizing exception service to Oregon libraries.

She is immediate past chair of the Oregon Library Association’s Children’s Services Division, an associate member of the Assistance League of Salem, a member of the Rotary Youth Literacy Coalition, and a member of the Library Committee of the Elizabeth Bowers Zambia Education Foundation.

In her new position, Toewe will guide the efforts of a 51-member staff that each year checks out 1.3 million items to community members, attracts more than 90,000 people to cultural and educational programming for children, families, and adults, and hosts 74,000 public computing sessions.

More information about Salem Public Library is available at www.salemlibrary.org<http://www.salemlibrary.org>.




Sonja Somerville
Community Relations Coordinator
Salem Public Library Foundation

Phone:     503-588-6083
E-mail:      ssomerville at cityofsalem.net
FAX:         503-589-2011
Address:   585 Liberty St. SE
                 Salem, OR 97301
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