Shaker Public Library’s new director is listening and leading.
By Margaret Simon
When Amy Switzer was appointed the eighth director of Shaker Library in October 2016, she began work by engaging in conversations across the community about the future of library spaces, services, and resources. She has approached her responsibilities with an emphasis on continuous improvement, inclusive practices, community engagement, and providing an outstanding customer experience. Her commitment to customer-focused services has included enhancing the library’s physical spaces and its outreach to the community it serves.
Switzer spearheaded the renovation of the Main Library while leading the Library through the challenges of the COVID-19 crisis. She worked with the City and the Schools in a Forward Together initiative on facility assessment and planning before beginning the design for the Bertram Woods Branch renovation in April 2022. Construction on the branch began in January and completion is anticipated in the fall.
The native Ohioan graduated magna cum laude from Miami University of Ohio and earned her master of library and information science degree (MLIS) from Kent State University, summa cum laude. She has 33 years of experience in libraries; 21 of them in public library management and administration.
Before being appointed director of Shaker Library, Switzer served as its deputy director for seven years. Before that, she worked as a children’s services librarian and children’s services coordinator at Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library for 13 years.
What do you consider your greatest accomplishments in your seven years as director?
Shaker Library has changed greatly in the 14 years I’ve worked here. The most visible change since I’ve been director is obviously the Main Library renovation – and soon the Bertram Woods Branch renovation. We worked to create flexible, functional, modern, and beautiful spaces to meet the needs of our community today and in the future.
In recent years we’ve focused on identifying and removing barriers to being a fully equitable and inclusive organization. One of the most important changes we’ve made is going fine free in October 2019. Library fines can be a huge barrier to access and many people stop using the library when they have fines but don’t have money to pay them. And fines don’t work to make people return library materials. We’ve also worked to expand service in other ways, including access to library cards. We now have special cards for those who don’t have a permanent address, as well as the Three for Me and Three for Teen cards to help youth who can’t get a regular library card.
Our collaboration with the City and schools as part of Forward Together has been so important and I’m thrilled that the Shaker Schools Welcome Center is located at the Main Library. I’m so proud of the library staff, who are creative, dedicated, and focused on helping improve the lives of our community members. We’ve built a strong team who are a joy to work with. I am fortunate to work in a library system that has an excellent board of trustees, an amazing group of Friends of the Library volunteers, and strong community support.
Your librarian skills – the ability to listen well, compile data, and do research – are invaluable, but as a library director, what skill sets did you develop that you didn’t learn in library school?
Now that I’m a director, I spend my days planning, budgeting, writing policy, reviewing contracts, dealing with HR issues, connecting with community partners, solving the problems that inevitably come up, and overseeing facility management, including leading the renovations of both of our buildings.
Shaker taxpayers approved funds for the renovation of the Main Library and Woods Branch. Now that the Main Library renovation has been completed, what were the final costs?
The Main Library renovation, which was completed in December 2021, was funded with $10.4 million in Certificates of Participation and from other library funds. The total project budget was $11,028,214. The Bertram Woods Branch renovation is being funded by $3 million in Public Library Fund bonds and from other library funds. The total project budget is $3,475,455.
Why are public libraries important today?
I think the core values of libraries are values for the ages, even if the way we deliver service changes as the times and needs change. Libraries are a haven and a refuge. You can read, learn, study, and work at the Library. You can attend programs and meetings at the Library. You can use our computers and the internet to connect to the world. You can find community and acceptance. You can find quiet space to read and dream, and you can find space that is filled with the laughter of children and chatter of teens as they play, learn, and grow. Everyone is welcome here without judgment, and you don’t need money to take advantage of all we have to offer.
In the past, you could check out books and record albums. Today you can check out books, laptops, and wi-fi hotspots, then go to a program, get help finding a job, apply for a passport, and pick up a free COVID-19 test kit. You don’t even have to leave home to use our wealth of digital offerings. When I began working in libraries, I never could have imagined what they’d look like today. And while tomorrow’s libraries will offer things unheard of today, we will always be there to help our community connect, collaborate, solve problems, and envision the future.
What books are you reading and recommending?
Recently I’ve read and loved Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus and The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women by Kate Moore.
