Pappas Named Plainfield Library Director

PLAINFIELD, IL — The Plainfield Public Library Board of Trustees on Thursday announced Lisa Pappas as the new library director. Pappas has served as interim library director since July 2016. She joined the library in 2002 as head of adult services and became the library assistant director in 2007.

“I am excited for the opportunity to formally lead the library I have been a part of for the last 15 years,” Pappas said in a statement. “The previous director and I worked hard to keep up with the tremendous growth of this district as well as keeping up with the whirlwind changes in technology and library services.”

Pappas succeeds director Julie Milavec, who announced her departure in May 2016 after accepting a new job as head of the Downers Grove Public Library.

The library board voted unanimously to appoint Pappas at its June 21 meeting. “My fellow trustees and I are pleased and excited that Lisa has accepted the permanent library director position,” said Library Board President Carl F. Gilmore. “Her work as interim director, which took place during a very challenging time for the district, demonstrated her commitment to the library and its service to its patrons, and also showed us the depth of the rapport she has with the staff and the regional library system. We look forward to our partnership with her in developing a vision for the future of the district under her leadership.”

In a news release, Pappas said she's been an avid reader since she was a young girl, spending a lot of time in her local library. (For more local news, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

"Fast-forward 30 years, and Pappas is still spending a good chunk of her time at the library," the release noted. "While she uses the library as a patron checking out favorites such as memoirs and historical fiction, Pappas has been working in libraries for more than 20 years."

Prior to joining the Plainfield Public Library staff, Pappas worked as the manager of user services at the Oak Brook Public Library and adult services manager at the West Chicago and Warrenville public libraries.

Pappas said she loves the uniqueness of the Plainfield area and plans to work hard to continue to provide the residents of the district with the services and amenities they deserve.

"Every day I marvel at how diverse this community is when I walk through the building or take a shift at one of the public service desks," said Pappas. "We have resources, programs, events, materials, and more for every person in this community, and I look forward to leading the team that continues provides these services."

She will lead a staff of 16 full-time and 38 part-time employees. She officially takes over the role on July 1.