Politics & Government

UPDATED: Library Names New Director

Rick Ashton, formerly of the Denver Public Library, will begin work in Downers Grove on Sept. 6.

Updated: 10 p.m. July 29

Rick Ashton, former director of the Denver Public Library, will become director of the Downer Groves library on Sept. 6. He will replace Christopher Bowen, who is retiring after 27 years of service.

The library's Board of Trustees made the announcement at its July 27 meeting.

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“Rick has a passion for libraries and shares our view that this is a very exciting and challenging time for public libraries," said Kathy DiCola, board president. "As technology creates new ways to access books and information, Rick will help us define the future of the Downers Grove Public Library and continue to meet the needs of the community.”

During Ashton's tenure as director of the Denver Library, that institution earned the top ranking from Hennen's American Public Library Ratings for three consecutive years. He retired from the library in 2006 at age 60, according to an interview on LibraryJournal.com.

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"After taking an early retirement with over 20 year’s service from the Denver Public Library, he then moved to Illinois to work for the Urban Libraries Council," said DiCola. "He has also been an adjunct faculty member at Dominican University’s School of Library and Information Science.

Ashton "found that he missed public libraries and 'wanted to get back into the game'," DiCola said. "However, for his next public library experience he was not interested in dealing with the bureaucracy of a large library system, but wanted a smaller library where he could have a more immediate impact. 

Despite Ashton's long experience, the Library Board "definitely does not see Rick Ashton as an interim director," DiCola said. "While we are pleased that our current director was committed to the library and community for so many years, this is pretty uncommon. We anticipate a busy and successful tenure for our new director. Typically a library director expects to stay in a position for about 5 to 7 years, and that is our expectation for Rick."

"Downers Grove Public Library, and all public libraries, will face big challenges over the next few years," DiCola said. "The board is very pleased to find a candidate who is extremely forward thinking, with terrific expertise and experience in strategic planning, a commitment to involving staff and the community in the planning process, and a real passion for public libraries. We believe that Rick is the perfect choice for the next phase of our development."

Ashton, who holds a Master of Arts in librarianship from the University of Chicago, a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Arts in history from Harvard University, began his library career at the Newberry Library in Chicago. He has more than 35 years of professional library experience, including 25 years as a director.  

The Downers Grove library "has all the ingredients for success: an engaged Board of Trustees, a community that wants and needs an excellent public library, an experienced staff, active Friends and Foundation, a substantial building, and responsible financial management,” Ashton said.

As director, Ashton will be responsible for managing the finances of the library, implementing library policies and procedures, and developing innovative use of technology.  

From submitted reports.

 


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