Rolling Meadows library hires new executive director

The Rolling Meadows Library’s new executive director is Jack Bower, who has spent 13 years working for public libraries including in Broadview and neighboring Arlington Heights.

Bower, director of the Broadview Public Library District since 2022, starts his new role in Rolling Meadows May 6, officials announced Tuesday.

His hiring by the library board follows a nationwide search by Deiters & Todd Library Consulting. Board members launched the search last October following the departure of Kevin Medows, who cited personal reasons and a career redirection after a little more than a year in the job.

In Broadview, Bower coordinated the library’s restoration and reopening of its lower level last year following a 2021 flood. He previously was digital services manager at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, where he helped launch the Makerplace branch and start the Library of Things collection that has unusual items available for checkout.

In a letter to Rolling Meadows residents in the upcoming summer newsletter, Bower said he’s inspired by the library's commitment to inclusivity and its array of services, from books and digital resources to engaging community programs.

“Libraries are more than just places to borrow books; they are vital community hubs that bring people together, spark creativity, and open doors to new possibilities,” Bower wrote. “I am committed to ensuring that Rolling Meadows Library remains a welcoming space for all, fostering a culture of learning and growth.”

In a news release, library board members cited Bower’s experience at libraries with different levels of resources and expanding services to underserved members in the community.

Bower, who grew up in Oak Park and La Grange, has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Illinois, and a master’s degree in library and information science from Valdosta State University in Georgia.