Highland Park Resident Named New Director Of Public Library

HIGHLAND PARK, IL — Park Ridge Library Director and Highland Park resident Heidi Smith has been hired as the next executive director of the Highland Park Public Library.

“I’m thrilled to join this wonderful library, and it’s an honor to be able to guide it as we continue playing such an important role in the community," Smith said in a statement announcing her hiring.

"As a resident I’ve been able to experience how the Library does that and I am very excited to lead an expert staff to provide the community with all that public libraries can offer," she said.

Smith succeeds former director Jane Conway, who retired from the library in May after 18 years at its helm. Chad Clark has served as interim executive director ever since.

Smith is resigning her post as executive director of the Park Ridge Public Library, a post she has held since April 2018. She previously served as an assistant director of the Waukegan Public Library, where she oversaw public services, collection management, customer service and literacy.

“Heidi’s broad and varied experience at different public libraries made her an ideal candidate for the job of leading our Library forward,” Richard Basofin, president of the board, said in a statement.

“She’s been involved in all aspects of running libraries and has a passion and enthusiasm for public libraries. Heidi is creative and innovative. We’re looking forward to harnessing that enthusiasm and expertise here in Highland Park.”

Smith is set to start in Highland Park on Jan. 4, according to the library board. The new executive director is due for a base annual salary of $130,000 in Highland Park. She will be an at-will employee, according to her offer letter.

In September, the Park Ridge Public Library Board unanimously agreed to increase her salary from $115,000 to $118,000. No information about any additional compensation was immediately available.

Former executive director Conway was hired in 2002 as with a base salary of of $78,000 plus benefits. Her final annual compensation at the time of her retirement was $175,000, according to a library spokesperson.

Library officials have chosen not to post the legally required compensation disclosure documents online. According to the library's website, the compensation reports are available for in-person inspection during business hours on weekdays at its administrative offices, which have been closed to the public since Tuesday.