Lakewood and the Library Lose Another Leader

[Jim O'Bryan]

Kim, good luck, you will be missed.

You like Ken were a great leader and role model for the community.

I understand.

Library Selects New Director

The Washington-Centerville Public Library Board of Trustees announced
recently that Kim Senft-Paras will serve as the new Director for the
10th busiest library in Ohio. Ms. Senft-Paras brings more than 25 years
of library and management experience to the job of leading
Washington-Centerville Library, a nationally acclaimed organization
known for exceptional customer service and innovative collections and
services.

Ms. Senft-Paras is no stranger to communities that value exceptional
library service. Serving most recently as Deputy Director of Lakewood
Public Library for 15 years, she was responsible for strategic
planning, fiscal and collection management, board relations and
development, and oversight of 75 staff members. Prior to serving as
Deputy Director, Ms. Senft-Paras was a branch manager and reference
librarian, also at Lakewood Public Library. "I've spent most of my
career at Lakewood Public Library, which has enjoyed a level of
excellence comparable to Washington-Centerville Public Library. I plan
to use my strategic thinking, leadership, management and communication
skills to build upon Washington-Centerville Public Library's long
history of distinction. I sincerely appreciate, and look forward to, the
opportunity to serve the people of Centerville/Washington Township,"
says Ms. Senft-Paras.

Ms. Senft-Paras was selected from a pool of more than 20 applicant in a
process that included opportunities for input from library staff,
members of the community and the library Board of Trustees. "After a
robust selection process, the Board of Trustees feel confident that we
have found in Ms. Senft-Paras, a Director that will lead our library
with dedication, integrity, and professionalism," said Richard Carr,
Library Board President. "Ultimately, Ms. Senft-Paras was selected
because of her proven track record of excellent library administration,
and her ability to build solid relationships with key constituencies,"
continues Mr. Carr.

Ms. Senft-Paras will assume the duties of Director in early September.
A public reception will be held in the fall, giving community members
the opportunity to welcome Ms. Senft-Paras to
Centerville/Washington-Township.

Ms Senft-Paras holds a Masters of Library Science from Kent State
University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Miami University,
OH. She and her husband have three grown daughters and will be
relocating to Centerville/Washington Township area.

For more information on the Washington-Centerville Public Library visit

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[dl meckes]

I am excited about Kim Ms Senft-Paras's new opportunity.

I cannot thank you enough for all you have done for Lakewood.

We will miss you.

[Heidi Hilty]

While I am thrilled for Kim, this sure feels like a 1-2 knockout punch for Lakewood : (
What a loss!

[Lynn Farris]

I don't know the new library director. But I was stunned that when we lost Ken, Kim wasn't automatically given the position. She has served the library and the community for so many years. She will be a wonderful director - unfortunately not in Lakewood.

I'm always disappointed when we don't hire our own. I agree Heidi, this is a double loss of the expertise that made Lakewood the number 1 library of its size in the country.

Not only are we losing Kim, but her wonderful family as well. They will all be missed.

[Teresa Andreani]

I'm so sorry to hear that Kim is moving on, but trust this is a good opportunity for her. Kim has been a great friend to community organizations and, on both a personal and professional level, I will miss her dearly!

Her remarkable children are testimony to the remarkable woman she is!

[Jim O'Bryan]

I don't know the new library director. But I was stunned that when we lost Ken, Kim wasn't automatically given the position. She has served the library and the community for so many years. She will be a wonderful director - unfortunately not in Lakewood.

I'm always disappointed when we don't hire our own. I agree Heidi, this is a double loss of the expertise that made Lakewood the number 1 library of its size in the country.

Not only are we losing Kim, but her wonderful family as well. They will all be missed.

Maybe we need to look at this loss of leadership and see what is disenfranchising leaders
like Kim and Ken. From the rumors on the street, and the one reporter I know working on
the story Kim did not even bother to apply for Ken's job.

What is most troubling is we have Ken Warren, who used to make fun of those
leaving Lakewood to Leakwood. Rarely if ever even ate outside of Lakewood, then
quitting everything in Lakewood he was a member of. I used to sit in Ken's office
as he laughed at job offers for twice as much in St. Louis, Chicago, Vancouver, etc.
Saying he would never leave the library and the city he loved. June 30th was his last
day and he was out of Lakewood by July 1st! Think about it. What went wrong at the
library? In the city?

What would make one person quit, and his chosen successor also want to get out of
the job she loved and move on?

Like losing Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones, with the other band
members figuring they could keep the band going!

Troubling for sure.


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