After years of overseeing the public library system, Lesley Dieno is ready for a new chapter in life.
Dieno will retire as executive director of Okanagan Regional Library at the end of the year.
“I am ready,” said Dieno, who has held the position for 25 years and is looking forward to travelling.
“I have known for the last year I will retire.”
Dieno has seen a number of changes during her tenure, including growth of the system to 29 branches and the introduction of Internet-based services.
“I have enjoyed my time with ORL,” she said.
“It kept me here longer than any other job that I’ve had because it’s always changing.”
Dieno is receiving praise from the agency’s vice-chairperson.
“Her years with ORL have seen great progress in seeing her and her staff move forward to better serve the public,” said Jim Edgson.
“The direction, advice, and counsel she has given to the board has been invaluable – and she will be remembered for it. The people of Vernon can see on a daily basis, part of what she was part of, an award-winning library building.”
The board is currently determining who the next executive director will be and an announcement should be made by Dec. 31.
“There are always huge opportunities when there is turnover of the chief administrative officer,” said Dieno.
“They will hire someone young and energetic and they will move forward.”
ORL is the 16th largest library system in Canada and it serves 360,000 people across 59,600 square kilometres.
