Hello, Donna!

The news is out: Donna Lauffer, who has been Johnson County Library's Interim County Librarian since January, is now the honest-to-goodness, not-interim County Librarian. There's more official information in the press release (PDF) and the Kansas City Star article, so I'd like to talk about how I'm personally happy to have Donna Lauffer as our new County Librarian.

While Donna has served as Interim County Librarian, I've found her to be very approachable and accessible, friendly and relaxed. While I was taking pictures for my post about the kick-off for The Big Read, Donna was walking by. She stopped, walked over to me, and asked my opinion of the floral arrangement. She stayed and talked with me about how much she liked the flowers and how impressed she was with everyone's work for The Big Read.

Donna is obviously committed to Johnson County Library as a public service and integral part of the community. She shows a passion for where Johnson County Library is going and how it gets there, and she has good ideas for the future (as well as being open to other people's good ideas).

So, I'm pleased as punch that Donna has decided to keep swimming in the deep end of the pool, staying on as our County Librarian. Congratulations, Donna!