Fox River Valley Libraries appoint interim director

The Fox River Valley Public Library District board of trustees appointed Roxane Bennett as interim library director at a special meeting on Nov. 5. The appointment is in response to the resignation of current director Lauren Rosenthal, who has accepted the position of library director at the Ela Area Public Library in Lake Zurich.

"We are truly sorry to see Lauren leave our library as she has done such a wonderful job and accomplished much as our director over the past 17 months. At the same time we recognize that she has a great opportunity before her, and we wish her all the success possible in her new position," said board president Richard Corbett.

Bennett served as the library's director from 2009 until her retirement in 2019. She will begin the interim position on Dec. 12.

"Roxane is a proven leader who will keep our library moving forward. She has earned the board's trust over time and we are confident she will use good judgment in all matters related to the library," Corbett said.

The board plans to begin its search for a permanent director as soon as possible and will address the process officially at their next board meeting on Nov. 17.

Rosenthal joined the Fox River Valley Libraries in 2014 as assistant director. She has served as director since June 2019 after the retirement of Bennett. During her tenure, Rosenthal made significant contributions to the libraries, including one of the first Government Finance Officers Association Awards for Excellence in Financial Reporting given to libraries and an upgrade to transparency reporting as the first library in the nation to use the OpenGov platform.

Always mindful of community needs, Rosenthal oversaw a revamping of library services and programs to comply with safe opening guidelines during an unprecedented service disruption due to the pandemic, introduced home delivery of library materials, license plate renewals, elimination of late fees, and expanded notary public and USDA free meal services to area residents. She has been an active member of the Rotary Club of Carpentersville-Morning and has supported numerous other community organizations and businesses. Her last day will be Dec. 11

The Fox River Valley Public Library District serves 70,000 residents of Carpentersville, East Dundee, West Dundee, Sleepy Hollow, Gilberts, and parts of Algonquin, Elgin, and Barrington Hills.