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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">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.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">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.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">"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.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">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.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">“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.”<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">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.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">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.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">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.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">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.</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">More information about Salem Public Library is available at <A href="http://www.salemlibrary.org">www.salemlibrary.org</A>.</SPAN></P>
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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN> </P><A href="mailto:libs-or@listsmart.osl.state.or.us"></A></DIV>Sonja Somerville<BR>Community Relations Coordinator<BR>Salem Public Library Foundation<BR><BR>Phone: 503-588-6083<BR>E-mail: ssomerville@cityofsalem.net<BR>FAX: 503-589-2011<BR>Address: 585 Liberty St. SE<BR> Salem, OR 97301</BODY></HTML>