Darryl Eschete, who has served as the director of the West Des Moines Public Library since 2012, has accepted a new position as Director of Oshkosh Public Library in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The WDM Library Board of Trustees, Friends Foundation, and staff wish him well in his new endeavor as he returns closer to his family in Wisconsin.
During his tenure, Eschete oversaw a three-million-dollar building renovation, guided the community and staff through the COVID-19 pandemic, brought the first self-serving library kiosk to the state of Iowa, equipped the library with two outreach vehicles, and helped expand the library’s homebound and senior care outreach program exponentially.
“The Board of Trustees has thoroughly enjoyed working with Darryl during his tenure in West Des Moines,” said WDM Library Board President Ray Seidelman. “His professionalism and library expertise has helped the Board make many impactful decisions over the past eleven years. The Board believes the library is a prized community asset in West Des Moines. We are proud of the ambitious mission of the library and Darryl has been successful in delivering on this mission.”
In addition to the wonderful programs and initiatives he moved forward in the library building, Eschete also served many roles on boards and committees for the Iowa Library Association Foundation, American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom, and the American Red Cross.
“I owe a debt of gratitude to the City of West Des Moines, the WDM Library Board of Trustees and the WDM Library Friends Foundation, all of whom supported me continually during my time in West Des Moines,” said Eschete. “And to the devoted library staff, who serve the taxpayers of West Des Moines with kindness and rapt attention. Finally, thank you to the wise citizens and taxpayers of West Des Moines, who know how important and needed a quality public library is and you have committed to making sure your beloved community has one.”
The WDM Library Board of Trustees and the City of West Des Moines’ Human Resources team will execute a thorough search for a new director to uphold the library’s mission of enriching lives by igniting curiosity, engaging community, and expanding perspectives. The WDM Library Board will name an interim library director at their upcoming meeting on December 19. Any questions about this process can be directed to the WDM Library Board President, Ray Seidelman, at library@wdm.iowa.gov.
Want to wish Darryl well? Post a story, memory, and best wishes on his Kudoboard.
