Members of the community turned out Friday night to welcome Leea Yelich as director of the Westchester Public Library, a post she took over on Aug. 31.
Yelich is no newbie to the library, having work as the Thomas Branch manager for four years, and Kathryn Cochran, vice president of the board, said she was overwhelmingly the best person for the position.
“We interviewed several candidates and asked some very hard questions, and while others were very good, Leea was extraordinary,” she said. “She has the vision to take this library into the next 30 years.”
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Yelich, who has a master’s degree in library science from Rutgers University and two bachelor degrees from Purdue University, is only the third director in the Chesterton library’s 43-year history. She comes to the position after the retirement of Phil Baugher, who served in that post for 37 years.
She said that she plans to continue the work done by Baugher, the board, staff and the community.
“Everyone is on the same page here,” she said. “They all want to make this library the focal point of the community. They’re enthusiastic, excited, and love helping people. The community is such a part of this library and they make it a really fun place to work.”
Cochran said Yelich’s enthusiasm is but one of her strengths.
“She has the ability to keep the big picture of the community in mind, along with the day-to-day details of what it takes to make the library work well,” Cochran said.
One of the ways Yelich said would like to see the library continue to grow is through the use of technology and services related to technology.
“We have always been on the cutting edge of technology and I’m really excited that we will be unveiling our 3D printers and scanners the second week of October,” she said. “We also have our technology help desk that is open seven days a week and offer technology classes and online services, so the library is continuing to change and evolve.”
Yelich shook hands and embraced members of the community who came out to celebrate the start of a new era.
“We look forward to seeing more of you,” said Rosemary Canright who had worked for 21 years at the library as the head of technical services.
“Phil (Baugher) was magnificent, but she’s a fresh face,” Canright said.
Heather Augustyn is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.