We are excited to announce Josh Wolf as our inaugural Assistant Director of Public Services! We sat down with Josh to talk about the new role and his history at the Library.
Q. How long have you worked at the Library?
A. I've worked here for over 14 years, first as the Children's Services Manager from 2007 until 2015, then as the Community and Customer Engagement Manager, supervising a variety of public services staff. Before coming here, I was in children's services at Bartholomew County Public Library and Johnson County Public Library in Indiana, and at Fairfax County Public Library in Virginia. I've been working in public libraries since 1999!
Q. This position is new to our Library. Can you tell us more about the role of Assistant Director of Public Services?
A. This role supports all of our public services managers, ensuring that they're working in the same direction across our various audiences and locations to achieve the goals of our strategic plan and our vision for serving the community. I provide support through training, mentoring, and direct supervision.
Q. What’s your favorite thing about our Library?
A. My favorite thing is how well it is integrated within our community. Our vision is for a "knowledgeable, inclusive, diverse, and engaged community empowered by the Library" and all of our programs and services are directed towards that. I'm humbled by the amazing ideas put forward every day by our staff and partners. Each one of them brings us closer to achieving that vision.
Q. How did your position as a children’s librarian prepare you for this new role?
A. In order to deliver the best service, successful children's librarians endeavor to meet all ages and communication styles where they’re at in any given situation. On a certain level, that requires approaching your most serious work as play, drawing energy from that approach, and sharing it with the people you work with.
Q. What are you most looking forward to in the next couple of years?
A. I'm excited to develop new training programs for our staff and managers. We have a new structure for public services and are in the early stages of a revised approach to training, which will help us deliver better services than ever. I'm also excited about supporting the development of new programs and services through the lens of equity and inclusion. Monroe County is such a beautifully diverse community and our staff and partners are passionate about reflecting that diversity.
We believe Josh’s leadership experience and his passion for patron service and libraries will greatly serve the Library now and in the future.