Muskego library looks for new director

Muskego - A search committee has begun its efforts to find a new Muskego Public Library director.

Jane Genzel, who for the last three years has served as interim director of the library and then director, stepped down to resume studies on the library reference desk.

Her resignation was voluntary, Library Board President Josephine DeVito-Scalzo said.

In her resignation letter, Genzel said she would happily resume her former position.

"My resignation makes it possible for me to participate more fully with the rest of the great library staff here in my passion for providing our community with the best of customer service which, in these days of focus on technology instead of people, is more important than ever," Genzel said.

Service-added elements

But she is proud of the strides the library made under her leadership.

"We implemented a browsing section which helps our patrons get the newest books and DVDs quicker than ever before," she said.

And for people on the go, preloaded audio players were added, and the library now has a self-checkout unit that allows patrons to check out library materials, she said.

These innovations have increased the library's circulation, she said, "So, hopefully, we are filling our patrons' needs."

Friends-ly speakers

Genzel also is known for researching and arranging for a wide range of speakers to come to the library for both adults and children. For example, more than 100 people attended a presentation by nationally known and best-selling author Jacquelyn Mitchard.

Also, children were thrilled to meet huge Clydesdale horses face to face when Wisconsin historian and Clydesdale breeder Jerry Apps gave a talk, bringing a couple of his horses along.

To bring those programs to the library, Genzel had a good relationship with the Friends of the Muskego Library, the volunteer group that actually paid for them.

"Working with Jane as a Friends board member, I found her to be very talented, very professional and with a wealth of information and contacts to provide a variety of talks," said Friends board member Barb Farmerie.

Transitional help

While the search committee looks for a new director, Genzel is assisting interim director Bernard Bellin with day-to-day operations.

Bellin was director of the Franklin Public Library from 1980 to 1993 when he became the director of the Whitefish Bay Public Library for six years until 1999.

In 1999, he became the administrator of the Lakeshores Library System, which serves public libraries in Racine and Walworth Counties.

He retired from the Lakeshores Library System in 2009.

Looking after the library's financial aspects is New Berlin Library Director Dennis Sampson, who is interim financial officer.

Both Bellin and Sampson have been engaged to serve three months ending Jan. 16.