| Library Board Welcomes New CEO |
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Woodstock December 17, 2008: The Woodstock Public Library Board would like to welcome Gary Baumbach to the Library in the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective January 19, 2009. Gary is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario with an Honours Bachelor of Music and a Master of Library and Information Science degrees. For the past 20 years he has held increasingly senior management positions in the Brampton Library, culminating in his current role overseeing six branch locations and having corporate responsibility for customer service programs. Gary and his wife Alma, herself a Librarian in the Performing Arts Centre at the Toronto Reference Library, are looking forward to returning to southwestern Ontario. They have two daughters in high school, Christine and Jennet. We urge you to join us in welcoming Gary and his family to our community. The Board would also like to thank retiring incumbent CEO, Stephen Nelson, for his many years of dedicated leadership at the Library as we approach the 100th anniversary in 2009 of our Carnegie building. We wish Stephen all the best in his retirement. Brian Crockett Chair Woodstock Public Library Board BACKGROUND: The Woodstock Public Library announced December 16th the retirement of Chief Librarian Stephen Nelson effective January 31, 2009. Mr. Nelson began his career at the Woodstock Public Library in 1979 as a Reference Librarian. He was appointed to the position of Chief Librarian in 1992. Significant achievements during his tenure as the Chief Librarian included the renovation and expansion of the historic downtown Carnegie library building in 1995, the introduction of a website for the Library, the reinstatement of Sunday service and the completion of the Library’s first strategic plan. As Chief Librarian, Mr. Nelson also represented the Woodstock Public Library at the provincial level serving on the Boards of Knowledge Ontario, the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries and the Library Services Centre. Born and raised in Woodstock, Mr. Nelson also has a long history of engagement in the life of the community. He has served on the Boards of Information Oxford, Woodstock and District Big Sisters and the Oxford Children’s Aid Society. |