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At its regular meeting on Monday, September 11, 2017, the Barrington Area Library’s Board of Trustees gathered with core staff to honor Executive Director Detlev Pansch, who will retire on September 30, 2017, after more than nine years of leadership.

“Working at the Barrington Area Library has been the highlight of my career. It has been an honor working with a supportive board and talented staff to bring the Barrington area community the best possible library services,” said Pansch. Pansch is the second Executive Director to serve since the forming of the Barrington Public Library District in 1970.

A resolution honoring Pansch’s service, and granting him permanent cardholder and library member status, was passed at the meeting. In the resolution, the Board acknowledged his careful stewardship of the library’s operating budget, his innovative and thoughtful approach to library services, and his common practice of offering a kind word in acknowledgement of employees who had successfully accomplished important goals for the library. Board President Don Minner remarked, "Detlev has proven himself to be a visionary and passionate leader whose guidance has helped our talented staff to transform the Barrington Area Library into one of the most admired libraries in Illinois and the nation."

Pansch guided the two-year library renovation and revitalization project, resulting in a renewed space that is welcoming, state-of-the-art, and aesthetically beautiful. The Barrington Area Library was one of six libraries featured in the Illinois Library Association magazine’s 2015 annual issue on new library buildings. Other innovations under Pansch’s leadership include a wide variety of digital download and streaming services available to cardholders; the addition of digital studios, a MakerLab, and technology-enhanced meeting rooms and collaborative workspaces; a reinvigorated commitment to exceptional customer service and community outreach; the creation of the library’s distinctive and instantly recognizable brand; and a focus on the arts and creativity in library programming.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, Minner said, "While we will sorely miss his innovative ideas and extensive community involvement and contributions, we wish Detlev all the best in his retirement and future endeavors.”

The Board has retained the services of Bradbury Miller Associates in a nationwide search for a new Executive Director. The Library has appointed Head of Operations Vicki Rakowski to serve as acting Interim Director from the time of Pansch’s retirement until a new Executive Director is in place, which is expected to be prior to the end of the year.