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Des Plaines Public Library's board of directors is pleased to announce that Jo Bonell has been appointed executive director of the Des Plaines Public Library, effective immediately.

Jo is a famililar face around the library, having worked for over a decade as the Head of Adult Services.

She is also a familiar face in the community as an active participant in the Des Plaines Arts Council and other Des Plaines initiatives.

She received her Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois.  Previous to that she practiced law for a number of years having graduated from Loyola Law School.

“My route to the library may be uncommon, but as soon as I started working here I knew this is where I belonged” Jo says. 

“Des Plaines is a city that deserves and appreciates a  great library.  The staff is dedicated to the community and that dedication shows in the materials and the services we offer.”

Jo’s support for the library’s new strategic goals was key to her appointment to Director.

“Our residents want more technology to check out and more basic technology classes, and we’re delivering on that.  They also have requested a Makerspace and although we have offered those type of classes in the past, many of our patrons want a dedicated space.  That’s our next exciting project.”

More information on the transition will come. In the meantime, please stop by and wish Jo congratulations.