What to expect from new executive director at Aurora Public Library
Have you been following along with what's new at the Aurora Public Library?
You might have heard we have a new executive director, Michaela Haberkern.
You probably have been wondering what her vision is, what her background is or just want to know more about her. Well, here is the scoop!
Michaela began her role as executive director on March 4, but don't be fooled, she's been with the Aurora Public Library for three years as deputy director and has 25-plus years of experience at other libraries.
When asked what sparked her interest working for libraries, she talked about her desire for a place that made her look forward to going to work every day, a role that had meaning and would make a difference. Michaela says she fell in love with libraries just two weeks after starting her first library job, on a bookmobile. She exuberantly says, "It was my dream job! I'd always loved books and I read all the time, for fun and to learn. I also had a really good mentor. He built great connections with customers and I wanted that."
Little does she know she has become a mentor for Aurora Public Library staff.
As Michaela reflects on her biggest accomplishments in her tenure at the library, she says she's most proud of being part of building a closer-knit team. She was a part of hiring, promoting and retaining great people.
In addition to improving the customer service experience from implementing Communico (the system that helps you register for programs and reserve rooms), decreasing the time for books to return to the shelves and overall building a customer centered approach.
What can you expect from Michaela as director? She says, "I'm most excited about having the opportunity to work with staff and the community to keep making the Aurora Public Library better, to help us serve the community better."
She's hitting the ground running and hopes to accomplish a five-year plan to update West Branch and Eola Road Branch. She says she feels like everything she's learned in her career she can bring and use here.
She emphasizes how the community plays a big role: "Something I love about APL is the community. It's a community that needs and loves its library. We can make a difference in every day." In addition, she says she's open to new ideas, and wants to hear ways she can engage in the community.
One way she keeps up with the community is by reading (shocker!) She has a diverse taste in reading from African and Asian mythology to her most recent reads, "French Exit" by Patrick Dewitt and "Far Sighted - How We Make the Decisions That Matter the Most" by Steven Johnson. Maybe a way you can engage with Michaela is by recommending a good read? Stay tuned with us to see what new changes are in Aurora Public Library's future.