Arlington Heights library chooses new director

Jason F. Kuhl, operations director for the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, will be the new executive director effective June 16, Kerry W. Pearson, president of the board, announced at a special meeting Monday.

Kuhl has worked for the library for four years, beginning as manager of information services. He is credited with redesigning the reference service in response to the changing way customers use the library, and realizing a 39 percent increase in the number of customers served, according to a news release from the library.

He also helped develop the "Start Your Job Search Here" campaign in response to the economic downturn in 2009.

Kuhl will replace Paula Moore, who is retiring after five years as director and 21 years on staff.

"The board is pleased to have Jason as our next library director because we are confident he will continue our focus to create and deliver the next generation of library services," said Pearson.

Those new services, which will be available later this year, include an expanded popular books area, a self-checkout option, an expanded teen services area, and a digital studio equipped with the latest technology to create and edit videos, sound and images.

Kuhl has written on such topics as the future of libraries.

The library conducted a national search before hiring Kuhl.

"After five rounds of interviews with the applicants evaluated on over 20 different criteria, the board selected three finalists," Pearson said in a statement.

Two of the finalists were on the Arlington Heights staff.