Jacob Post has been a perfect fit as head librarian for the Oak Book Library ever since taking the position in 2017 when Sue Madorin retired as director.
Post started working at the library in 2010 when he came from the Des Plaines Library and was hired as a reference librarian. He was promoted a year later to circulation services supervisor, a position that had him maintaining the library’s patron database and overseeing the loaning of materials.
Post, 39, has now been head librarian for about seven years and has garnered much respect, kudos, and overall liking from many, including Michelle Coduto, an administrative coordinator who has worked at the Oak Brook library for over 25 years. “Jacob is very easy to work with,” she said. “He is extremely good-natured and positive. He creates a pleasant work environment for all the staff. He makes himself available to help out in every department of the library.”
Coduto also said Post treats everyone fairly and with respect. “He is focused on providing the best service for the residents while also making the library a great place to work,” she said. “I believe that the library is in the best possible hands with Jacob. He is an asset to the Village of Oak Brook.”
Theresa Ozark, a public services supervisor who has known Post since he began working at the library and has had him as her boss for the past seven years, also has a very positive take on the head librarian. “I look forward to coming into work,” Ozark said. “Jacob is easy-going. He doesn’t make the employees nervous. He’s fun and funny. He doesn’t take himself too seriously.”
“Staying current and relevant while maintaining the
library’s core services is always a delicate balance.”
– Jacob Post, Oak Brook, Public Library Head Librarian
Ozark said Post is always willing to come out of his office and help on the floor of the library. “He’s very approachable,” she said. “He’s kind and understanding. He’s the best boss I’ve ever had, and I have had many. He’s constantly doing nice things for the staff and is very good about keeping up the morale.”
Post’s people skills are limited to the five full-time and 14 part-time employees on the library’s staff. “Jacob is great with people,” Ozark said. “He handles the most difficult patron with ease and manages to be extremely professional in doing so.”
Greg Summers has known Post since becoming Oak Brook’s village manager about two years ago and has been impressed. “Jacob works with his team to carefully curate an evolving collection of library materials balancing historical and educational works with modern materials,” he said.
Taking over as head librarian after a six-year run as circulation services supervisor was an adjustment for Post. “The biggest adjustment in becoming Head Librarian was shifting my focus to encompass the library as a whole and then working more closely with the other village departments to accomplish the library’s goals,” he said.
Post said his biggest responsibility as Head Librarian is finding ways to get his staff the tools and resources they need to provide the quality services the patrons of the library expect.
“My role also includes overseeing the day-to-day operations of the library, planning for the future, and working with the other village departments to position the library for success,” he said. “Staying current and relevant while maintaining the library’s core services is always a delicate balance, and finding ways to promote the library and all it has to offer, besides books, can be challenging at times, too.”
The role of libraries in people’s lives never remains completely consistent, something about which Post is well aware. “The library’s priority continues to be loaning patrons materials; however, we are finding more and more people looking for quiet areas to work and study,” he said. “In addition to quiet areas, patrons are requesting small to midsize meeting spaces for group work.”
Post said he is pleased that over the past couple of years, children’s programming has grown considerably. “This is thanks to some very creative youth librarians and the fact more young families are moving into Oak Brook and getting library cards,” he said.
As for the future of the library, Post, other village staff, and some residents are in the early stages of working with a firm on a plan for the maintenance of the building’s infrastructure and identifying potential updates to improve the quality of service to the community.
“Once the plan is complete, we will have a better understanding of what changes to the building are necessary,” he said. “I am excited to see what the firm, staff, and the community come up with and what direction the village decides to take in the coming years.”
Post said the library has just over 90,000 items, the vast majority of which are books. The library also loans audiobooks, music CDs, and DVDs, he said. “What makes the Oak Brook Public Library great is its patrons,” Post said. “Each day, I get to have unique and rewarding conversations as I help them with their tasks. I also am fortunate to work with a really talented staff. Each member brings their own experience and expertise, and it all blends together nicely.”
When he’s not at work, Post, who grew up in Arlington Heights, enjoys spending time with his wife of 12-plus years, Ashley, and their children, Caroline, 8, and Dylan, 4. “When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family outdoors,” Post said. “The kids love the park and riding their bikes or scooters all over the neighborhood. With winter coming, they are looking forward to building snowmen and sledding.”
And while he is around books all day at the library, that doesn’t completely change when he gets home from work. “Books are incredibly important in our home,” Post said. “Most evenings when I come home from work, the first thing the kids ask is if I have any new books for them. “They just love to read, so each night, my wife and I read with our children before bed.” ■
