Poplar Creek Public Library appoints new executive director

The board of trustees for Poplar Creek Public Library District has selected a new executive director. Jose Maldonado will take on the role on Oct. 28, the library’s board of trustees announced during a special meeting on Oct. 1.

Maldonado, who is currently the library manager at Naperville Public Library 95th Street Branch, brings 17 years of library experience, 13 of which has been in management positions. Before Naperville, he worked for seven years as circulation manager at Evanston Public Library. Maldonado holds a master’s degree in library and information science from Valdosta State University. He also served in the United States Army including deployments to Iraq and Kuwait and later as an Army reservist.

“He plans to listen and build trust. He doesn’t want to come in and make changes right away, but rather learn our culture first.” Trustee Marianne Bailey said about Maldonado’s outline for his first 6-12 months on the job.

Jose’s plans for reaching underserved communities stood out to Board President Ann Kennedy.

“He has an established track record of building relationships with different communities and bringing them the library services they need.”

Maldonado will serve as the fourth head librarian of Poplar Creek Public Library District, taking over the executive director role following the retirement of Debra Stombres in May of 2024.

Established in 1966, Poplar Creek Public Library District has helped to serve approximately 65,000 residences in Streamwood, Hanover Park and portions of surrounding communities with a mission to enhance community life by offering a diverse collection of books and materials, providing free access to technology, and organizing cultural and informational programs that facilitate community engagement, idea-sharing and lifelong learning.

The library district utilized Deiters and Todd LLC in a nationwide search to recruit and hire a new director.