Joliet library director to retire
By Cindy Wojdyla Cain ccain@stmedianetwork.com July 10, 2012 4:18PM
Updated: August 13, 2012 1:39PM
JOLIET — Dianne Harmon will retire as director of the Joliet Public Library on Dec. 31.
Harmon, 68, who has been director for a year, started at the library in May 1988 as the head of youth services.
The Shorewood resident went on to serve as associate director of public services and deputy director before she was tapped to replace former Director John Spears, who took a job as director of the Naperville Public Library.
Harmon, who also previously worked for the Shorewood Public Library, said her husband, retired engineer Jim Harmon, has been bugging her to retire so the couple can travel more.
“There are a lot of places in the United States I haven’t seen,” she said.
The search for Harmon’s replacement is being handled by John Keister & Associates Executive Search.
An ad for the job was posted online July 5 at www.johnkeister.com/library/joliet.
According to the ad, the library is searching for an “energetic and visionary leader.” Applicants must have a master’s of library science degree. The minimum salary is $93,600 and is negotiable based on experience.
Harmon said she is optimistic the search will produce a great candidate to lead the library into the future.
“There are a lot of people coming up that I think are going to be outstanding in this field,” she said.
Harmon said she was going to retire last year, but postponed her decision when Spears left. She will be 69 in November.
“It’s time,” she said.
