Lakewood Library Board of Trustees Announces New Director!

[John Guscott]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Lakewood, Ohio – Following the conclusion of a national search, the Lakewood Public Library Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of James Crawford as Director of Lakewood Public Library.

For the past nine years, Mr. Crawford has served as the Director of the Ida Rupp Public Library located in Port Clinton, Ohio, and its branch, the Erie Islands Library located on Put-in-Bay. There he successfully developed the library, implemented technology, cultivated the collection and expanded hours through strategic analysis, planning, community involvement and investment. He administered three capital improvement projects for the library.

Mr. Crawford has held service and leadership positions in the Ohio library community, including the Ohio Library Council Government Relations Committee and the Ohio Library Council Diversity Awareness and Resources Committee. He earned his M.L.S. degree at Kent State University and A.B. at Miami University. In addition, he holds a J.D. from Cleveland Marshall College of Law. Prior to public library service, he distinguished himself as a trial attorney with expertise in employment law and insurance.

Mr. Crawford will be working closely with the Trustees, Library staff and community representatives to update the Library’s strategic plan and to assure that the Library continues to deliver superior service to patrons.

Mr. Crawford replaces Kenneth Warren who is retiring after a distinguished 25-year tenure as Library Director. In the coming weeks, Mr. Crawford will be meeting with Mr. Warren, for a series of strategic briefings concerning budget, building, operations, personnel, program and technology. Mr. Crawford’s official date to begin as Director is August 3, 2009.