Two new management team members have joined the ranks at the Aurora Public Library District (APLD). Mark Salem joined the administration team as our new finance manager and Monica Boyer was recently hired as our new senior manager of Children Services. We sat down to learn more about them, what led them to the library world, and how they like APLD, so far.
• Mark Salem was born in New York to immigrant parents. He said, “I am a first generation American; my mother is from Finland and my father is from Egypt.”
His family moved around a lot and planted temporary roots in Massachusetts, Georgia, Idaho, and Finland. It was after the 2008 economic crash that he knew he wanted to pursue a career in finance. Aurora is not his first library employer; while tending University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill as an undergrad, he worked for the Walter Royal Davis Library. “I have always liked to learn and read various topics throughout my life.”
• Monica Boyer grew up in northern Illinois in the Hanover Park/Schaumburg area. “The neighborhood branch library was a 15-minute walk from my house. I spent a lot of time at the library where I made friends with the nicest set of librarians who had a lot of patience for an inquisitive younger me.” She knew she wanted to work in libraries after a brief stint with a large corporate company. “After working there for six months, I realized I was miserable and needed a change. I began looking back at past positive work experiences and qualities I possessed. I realized that the public library industry had always brought me joy.”
How much would you think a children’s librarian and a finance manager have in common? Well, when they both work for a library, it shouldn’t be a surprise that they both enjoy spending their free time reading and learning. Mark is reading Thylacine: The Tragic Tale of the Tasmanian Tiger by David Owen and Monica is reading this year’s Newbery Medal and Pura Belpré Children’s Author Award winner, The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera. Recent favorites include Mafia Prince by Philip Leonetti and the children’s picture book Mel Fell by Corey R. Tabor. When asked about their favorite books from childhood, they gave the classic titles of The Fox and the Hound and Matilda.
Both expressed that their favorite thing about APLD so far is how helpful and kind the staff members have been. Monica added, “They are so dedicated to offering the best possible learning experiences to customers. It is incredibly inspiring.” They are both excited to immerse themselves in the enriching diversity of the community.
Thank you to Monica Boyer and Mark Salem! To reach out Monica or Mark, visit our staff directory page www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/staff.
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.