Ela Area library names new director
For Matt Womack, taking over as executive director of the Ela Area Public Library will be something of a homecoming.
Womack spent about six years at the Lake Zurich facility last decade, working as the head of technical services and a computer training librarian, before leaving to become director of the Lake Bluff Public Library in early 2010.
“It was always a dream in the back of my head to come back,” said Womack, 39, who was hired this week as the facility’s next director.
Womack will start at Ela on Jan. 9, 2012. He will replace Mary Beth Campe, who left in July to take over the Elmhurst Public Library.
Womack, of Streamwood, will earn $105,000 as Ela’s top administrator. The library board approved the move Monday without objection.
A consultant performed a nationwide search for Campe’s replacement and submitted five candidates to the board, panel President John Shaw said. Of those, only Womack and one other were interviewed for the job, he said.
Womack stood out because he was “a known quantity,” among other factors, Shaw said.
“He was very familiar with the staff,” Shaw said. “He knows the building.”
Womack’s technological background also stood out, Shaw said. That’s particularly important now because Ela is equipping its meeting rooms with interactive white boards and video equipment. A media lab should be completed this month, too.
“He is going to enhance bringing that to the community,” Shaw said.
The 71,603-square-foot library, which opened in 2002, is considerably larger than Lake Bluff’s library. The size change isn’t a concern for Womack.
“I’m just thrilled and delighted to be returning to a great community and a terrific library,” he said.
Shaw is excited about Womack’s return, too.
“He’s not going to miss a step,” Shaw said. “He’s going to jump right in and keep the library moving forward from Day One.”