Ferndale Library Director Resigns, Darlene Hellenberg  to Serve as Interim
(Ferndale Area District Library, June 27, 2016)
Ferndale, MI – The Ferndale Area District library Board has been informed that its Director, Jessica Keyser, has accepted a position as the Executive Director of the Grosse Pointe Public Library. Keyser will be working throughout the summer for Ferndale, and start her new position mid-August.
Keyser was appointed as Director in November 2012 and has provided outstanding leadership and direction to the Board and staff in her time at the helm. Keyser has introduced numerous programs and innovations to enhance library services and outreach. Among these has been increased outreach to the Ferndale schools and senior groups, the institution of the Lucky Day collection, and staff recognition through her Ultimate Warrior award.  Keyser ensured that the transition to a district library was successful and complete – spearheading the myriad details involved in becoming an independent entity. She has actively sought out opportunities to highlight the Library’s services and activities. Participation in the Metro Times Blowout, Bright Sides video production and the current Libraries Transform initiative are just a few of many examples.
The FADL Board would like to congratulate Keyser and express our gratitude and appreciation for the hard work and dedication she has given to the Library and the community.  “Jessica has truly been wonderful to work with. She has been a dynamic force for the Library and we all will miss her! We wish her the best of luck in this new chapter in her career,” said Board President Judeen Bartos.
Keyser says she is proud of her accomplishments in Ferndale, and will always remember her time here fondly. “It is bittersweet to think about moving on to the next step in my career. The Ferndale Area District Library staff, Board and Friends have been incredibly supportive throughout my time here. The transformation that the Ferndale Library has undergone over the last decade is amazing. I am honored to have been a part of that transformation, but I know it began before my time as Director, and it will continue to grow and thrive in the next phase of leadership.”
The Board has appointed Darlene Hellenberg as interim Director, to begin upon Keyser’s departure. Darlene currently serves as the Head of Reference and has been with the Library since 2003. The Board anticipates a smooth transition, as Keyser and Hellenberg will spend the coming weeks working together to ensure Hellenberg has all of the information and training she will need to keep the Library running smoothly.  The process to select a permanent replacement will begin in August.
Lear more about the Ferndale Area District Library at http://www.ferndalepubliclibrary.org/.