Following a national search, Will O’Hearn has been selected as the new director of the Eugene Public Library.
O'Hearn is currently the director of the Lincoln Library in Springfield, Ill. He has a bachelor’s degree in business management-human resources from Northern Illinois University and a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
He has worked in libraries since he was 16 years old, holding nearly every library role. He began his career by shelving books in his Illinois hometown, worked his way up to a lead clerk and after college became assistant circulation coordinator and then circulation supervisor for the College of Lake County (Ill.). In Colorado and Iowa, he held positions of business librarian, manager of adult services and downtown branch supervisor.
O’Hearn is known for being a team-oriented, people-focused leader who cares deeply about helping others every day in a multitude of ways that only public libraries can fill. “His integrity, approachability, positivity and collaborative work style will be assets to the Library and the Eugene community,” City of Eugene Library, Recreation and Cultural Services Executive Director Renee Grube said.
Will O’Hearn’s first day as Eugene Public Library Director will be March 11.