Johnston Library Director Prepares to Say Goodbye; Will Leave Behind Memories and Inovation

Press release from the City of Johnston:

"10-4 just seemed appropriate," Willona Goers said as she sat in her corner office inside the Johnston Public Library one recent Thursday morning.

10-4 represents a firm acknowledgement, and is also the date Willona will retire from her beloved role as Library Director. 

For nearly nine years, Willona has loved working at the Library because she says it makes such a difference in people's lives.

"From the little kids who love story time to seniors who are reading for their enjoyment and education," she said.

Willona wore a bright turquoise jacket as she later walked past the bookshelves this day.  Appropriate, since she has been lighting up the place since she started.  She has helped bring to fruition many exciting changes at the Library, like facilitating the website redesign and beginning the process for transitioning to a new integrated Library system. 

Willona oversaw the addition of electronic material to the Library collection, including eBooks, audio books, and downloadable music and magazines.  She also worked with the Friends of the Johnston Library group to create the very successful "Art In The Barn" fundraiser.

"We are so lucky to be in a community where Library services are valued and I am very grateful for that.  I have been so grateful for staff, my City of Johnston colleagues, the support of the Library Board and elected officials," Willona said with a smile.

On Thursday, October 4, Willona will say goodbye to all of them.  The date happens to be the ninth anniversary of the moment she said hello and began working there.   For Willona and the City of Johnston, 10-4 is the bookend to a great career.

 

Notes: 

Please join us in thanking Willona for her years of leadership at an open house in her honor on Thursday, October 3, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Johnston Public Library.  Light refreshments will be served.

The Library Board is pleased to announce that Eric Melton has accepted the Board’s offer to become the new Library Director. He will begin as Director on September 30.

 Eric is currently the Assistant Library Director at Kirkendall Public Library in Ankeny.  He holds a Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Iowa and has eight years of professional public library experience in a variety of areas at Kirkendall.  He was particularly involved in a conversion of library software from one product to another, which is the same process that the Johnston Public Library is currently undertaking.