Michael Starasta selected as new director of Lincoln Public Library
Caroline Kiest and April Jensen promoted to Assistant Directors

 

[January 25, 2020] 

The Board of Trustees of the Lincoln Public Library District is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Starasta as the new Library Director effective March 11, 2020.

Starasta replaces the current Director, Richard Sumrall. Sumrall has chosen to retire after serving in the position for the past 29 years.

Starasta has extensive educational and work experience in the library field. He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science in History degrees from Illinois State University, a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Illinois-Springfield, a Master of Library and Information Service from Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois, and currently working toward a PhD in Humanities.

Mike’s library experience ranges from work at the Chatham Area Library, McKinstry Library at Lincoln College, Milliken University Library, and the Mount Hope-Funk’s Grove Public Library. He has nine years of experience as a Library Director.

In addition, he is a member of a number of civic and service organizations in Lincoln and he is an active member of several professional library associations. Mike and his wife, Leslie and their family reside in Lincoln.

Two long-time library employees, Caroline Kiest and April Jensen have been promoted to the positions of Assistant Library Director. April is currently working toward a Master of Library and Information Services degree. In addition to their current duties, they will be assuming the duties formerly held by Sue Rehtmeyer, Assistant Library Director. Sue recently retired follo

wing a career of 32 years at the library.

The Board of Trustees feels the community can look to a bright future for our Library through the leadership of Mike, Caroline, and April.

[Richard Sumrall, Library Director]