For Immediate Release
April 27, 2017
Marlene Iwamoto
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – April 27, 2017 – After an extensive national search, the Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new community librarian for the Los Altos and Woodland Libraries in Los Altos, Calif. Over 30 candidates applied for this position with the final candidates completing an extremely competitive four stage application process that included oral boards and two rounds of interviews. During the nationwide search, specific qualities were looked for within the top applicants including: key leadership, management and interpersonal skills as well as the ability to support and promote the knowledge, ideas and cultural enrichment offered by the libraries.
“Many exceptional and experienced librarians applied to become Community Librarian at the Santa Clara County Library District. We are delighted to welcome, Marlene Iwamoto, to our team,” stated Nancy Howe, County Librarian.
Beginning her library career at the Los Altos Library over 25 years ago, Iwamoto has worked in numerous library positions over the past two decades. From Library Page to Clerk, Library Technician, Office Specialist, Graduate Intern, Librarian, and most recently Supervising Librarian at the Campbell Library, Iwamoto has a thorough understanding of the multi-faceted workings of a library. In addition to her in-depth understanding of the day to day operations, Iwamoto has shown exceptional leadership skills and innovation. While at the Campbell Library, she successfully fostered partnerships with the City of Campbell as well as local schools and community groups. She was instrumental in: developing Campbell Library’s Teen Advisory Board, helping foster leadership in local young adults; launching the California Department of Education grant-funded ESL classes and the ESL Conversation Club; and implementing the Get Tech Grant of fourteen science-based programs. Most recently, Iwamoto was awarded a Santa Clara County Employee Excellence Award as well as a County Top 10 Outstanding Employee for 2016 Award.
“I am very excited to return to Los Altos and work once more with this fabulous community. I know residents value our libraries and appreciate and support our continued efforts to bring not only a rich inventory of materials but also some of the newest electronic resources available today,” stated Iwamoto. Iwamoto, who earned a Master of Library and Information Science degree and a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from San Jose State University, began as the new Los Altos and Woodland Branch Community Librarian February 2017.
About the Santa Clara County Library District
The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) promotes knowledge, ideas, and cultural enrichment. Its collection includes more than 1.9 million books, videos, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, eBooks and extensive online resources accessible from home or work.
In 2014, SCCLD celebrated one hundred years of service to local residents. For the last several years, SCCLD has been consistently recognized as one of America’s Star Libraries by Library Journal. In 2016, SCCLD was ranked among the top ten large libraries in the United States in the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. In 2014 and 2015, SCCLD won Innovator Awards from the Urban Libraries Council.
The Santa Clara County Library District includes two bookmobiles, an online library, seven community libraries and one branch library serving Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Saratoga and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. In 2016, the Santa Clara County Library District had more than 270,000 library cardholders and welcomed 3.3 million visitors who borrowed 9.1 million items.
Contact:
Nancy Howe/Chris Brown /Lili Smith
Santa Clara County Library District
(408) 293-2326 ext. 3001/3002/3014
