Glenview library board OKs new director

A librarian from Michigan has been selected to helm the Glenview Public Library now that its longtime director has retired.

The library's board of trustees approved the hiring of Lindsey Dorfman 7-0 at a meeting Monday, held remotely.

Dorfman, who starts the position July 13, will succeed Vickie Novak, who retired June 30 after 18 years at the Glenview library and 46 years total as a director at three libraries.

"It's always difficult to see someone as amazing as Vickie depart, but I think we all feel really good about Lindsey and we're excited to have her on board," Glenview Library Board President Kathy Vega said during the meeting.

Transition discussions already have begun between the retiring and incoming directors, and Novak will continue to help Dorfman through the transition period.

"We're just coming up on our 90th anniversary and this is kind of like turning a page in a book, a new chapter. We're really looking for her to lead our library," Vega said Tuesday.

Dorfman will come to Glenview after serving four years at the Kent District Library in Comstock Park, Michigan, north of Grand Rapids, where she was director of branch services.

The successful candidate out of a national search that promoted four finalists, Dorfman impressed Glenview Library decision-makers with her experience in the field and her innovation and communication abilities.

"We really liked the way she talked about community interaction, and really representing the library and making the library a community hub, working with and building relations with groups in the community," Vega said. "Those are really all pieces of our strategic plan. That is a big part. She's very aligned with our vision and our strategic plan - empowering staff, working to utilize our staff in a way to innovate."

Dorfman was one of 54 people named as a "Mover and Shaker" in 2019 by Library Journal in the Community Builders category. Kent District Library's Executive Director Lance Werner was the publication's 2018 Librarian of the Year.

Before her term at the Kent District Library, Dorfman was director of the Allegan District Library in Allegan, Michigan, according to her LinkedIn profile. As with Novak in Glenview, Dorfman oversaw the construction of a new library building at Allegan, Vega said.

"We found that impressive," she said.

A 2002 graduate of Western Michigan University who earned a master's degree in library and information science from Wayne State University, according to her profile, she'd previously worked in youth services at two other libraries.

"She's just really going to be an exceptional representative for the library. She has excellent communication skills; she has a polished presence. She really was dynamic, and she inspired confidence," Vega said.

Dorfman quickly accepted a verbal offer from the Glenview Public Library and then the formal written offer sent June 22, Vega said.

"She is very excited," Vega said. "She's been emailing me a couple of times, and she's thrilled. I'm thrilled that she's thrilled. We want someone who really wants our library."