Our most recent success story highlights our executive search services and how we helped The Urbana Free Library Board of Trustees identify and select their next Executive Director.
The Urbana Free Library serves as a cornerstone of learning, culture, and connection for the City of Urbana, Illinois. Established in 1874, it has grown into a vibrant, community-centered institution known for its inclusive programming, innovative services, and deep commitment to the people it serves. The Library’s historic downtown building has long symbolized the city’s investment in literacy, lifelong learning, and equitable access to information.
When the Board of Trustees began the search for their next Executive Director, they sought a partner who understood the unique culture of public libraries and could navigate a competitive recruitment process with professionalism, transparency, and care. Organizational Architecture guided the Board through each phase of the search—from stakeholder consultation and candidate outreach to interview facilitation and final selection—ensuring that every step reflected the Library’s mission and values.
Board of Trustees President Daniel Urban said:
Selecting a new Executive Director is one of the most important responsibilities a library board undertakes, and we knew we needed expert guidance to get it right. Organizational Architecture exceeded our expectations at every stage.
From the start, the OA team invested time to understand our library, our community, and the kind of leadership we were seeking. They helped us articulate the qualities that would best serve Urbana and designed a process that balanced rigor, fairness, and transparency.
The communication throughout was outstanding—timely, clear, and always professional. They kept us well-informed, provided thoughtful insight into each candidate, and ensured that trustees felt confident and supported during every step of the decision-making process.
The end result was the successful hiring of an outstanding Executive Director who aligns with our mission, values, and vision for the library’s future. We’re grateful to OA for helping us reach this important milestone and for being a true partner in the process.
Organizational Architecture is the trusted partner for nearly forty public libraries as well as state library associations across the United States for human resources consulting, compensation studies, executive recruiting, performance management, and leadership development. If your library needs support in these areas, contact us to learn more.