Kelly Fann has been named the next director of the Tonganoxie Public Library and will start Sept. 1.
“Tonganoxie has always been my library of choice,” Fann said. “I grew up in Ellinwood, 8 miles east of Great Bend. I love my small town but know I couldn’t live in my small town again. Tonganoxie reminds me a lot of Ellinwood.”
Fann was very familiar with Tonganoxie before accepting the library position last week. She buzzed through town twice daily in her commute from her Kansas City, Kan., home to the Lawrence Public Library, where she is with information technology department. Moreover, she and her husband, Mason, have frequented Tonganoxie restaurants and have others they plan to sample.
It is Fann’s goal to become much more familiar with Tonganoxie both through her work and community involvement.
“The larger the library, the more segregated your activity is,” she said. “I’m anxious to do it all. Tonganoxie seems perfect for that. I get to get away from my desk.
Library Board President Kara Reed said Fann was selected from nearly 20 candidates who applied for the position. “She’s the total package,” Reed said. “She’s very qualified, enthusiastic and very willing to participate in our community.”
By Elvyn Jones, Tonganoxie Mirror