Farewell reception for Ken Hall July 17

Ken Hall will retire as director of the Fond du Lac Public Library on July 27, but before he goes, the public has an opportunity to wish him well at a reception 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 17, in the library gallery. Refreshments will be served.

Hall has worked for more than 34 years in public libraries, including stops in Appleton, Wisconsin Rapids and Two Rivers. He was brought to Fond du Lac in 2002 to oversee the library’s massive expansion and renovation project.

During Hall’s tenure, the library evolved from a place where people primarily borrowed books to a community center dedicated to lifelong learning. Along with the library expansion, Hall’s accomplishments include starting Fond du Lac Reads, an annual effort to encourage the community to read and discuss the same book; creating the Opportunity Center, a free computer lab for persons seeking work; and overseeing the library’s first branch expansion, FDLPL Express. In 2006, the library was named Wisconsin Library of the Year for its culture of creativity, collaboration and proactive service.

Jon Mark Bolthouse, technology projects manager for Wisconsin’s South Central Library System, will replace Hall; Bolthouse starts July 23.

The public reception is free; no RSVP required.