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Vernon Area Library director to retire

After 13 years as head of the Vernon Area Public Library District, director Cynthia Fuerst will retire later this spring. No firm departure date has been set.

"I wanted to give the board plenty of time to ensure that this will be a smooth transition," Fuerst said.

"On the one hand, the board is very sorry to see Cindy leave," library board President Marc Fenton said. "She has been a tremendous asset to the library and our community, and for that, we are thankful. But we are happy for her and excited for her next chapter. She will truly be missed, but we wish her well."

Fuerst has served as director of Vernon Area Public Library since January 2009. During her tenure, Fuerst has overseen several library building improvement projects, the most recent of which took place in 2021.

"A drive-up service window was a wish list item on the long-term plan," Fuerst said. "When the pandemic forced the building to close, it became an immediate priority."

The library opened the new contactless service window in July 2021.

Another bold change instituted by Fuerst: In 2015, Vernon Area was among the first public libraries in the Midwest to eliminate overdue fines for patrons.

"No one likes library fines. Not borrowers, not libraries: no one," Fuerst said. "We decided it was time to rethink that approach."

Vernon Area's successful fines-free program has since been replicated at many other U.S. libraries.

Prior to taking the helm at Vernon Area, Fuerst served as director of Kankakee Public Library for 13 years. She was nationally recognized by trade magazine Library Journal as a "Mover and Shaker" in 2005. She served as president of the Illinois Library Association from 2016 to 2018.

"It has truly been a privilege to serve at this exceptional library," Fuerst said. "It has the winning combination of a supportive board of trustees, a dedicated management team, talented staff, and a community that values education.

"It is well positioned for future success. I am confident that the board will find the right person to be the next library director, and I sincerely look forward to seeing what comes next for Vernon Area."

The search committee of the library board of trustees met on Jan. 26 to discuss plans for a comprehensive search for the next library director.

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