Derek Clendening, FEPL, November 7, 2024, VOL. 6 ISSUE 5  

Jen Kendall is no stranger to libraries and community involvement. As a child, she frequented libraries and enjoyed volunteering. In adulthood, she decided to pursue libraries professionally, first envisioning herself working in archives and special collections. And then a pivotal moment happened while volunteering for WEPAC, an organization in Philadelphia that specializes in installing and running school libraries. This experience taught her the value of providing ready access to materials for learning and recreation.

The pursuit of a library career brought her to Canada where she earned her Master of Library Science degree. While in central Alberta, she worked in a number of library roles. These responsibilities included running programs, creating strategic plans, and developing both large and small collections to serve a diverse community.

Jen’s library journey continued into Manitoba where she became the director of the Portage la Prairie Regional Library. While there, she modernized the library and reimagined library services to better serve community needs. Portage la Prairie also offered her the chance to further her passion for volunteering and community involvement. She volunteered both for the Manitoba Library Association, as well as the United Way, Central Plains.

Now Jen’s journey will bring her to Southern Ontario and the Fort Erie Public Library. This comes at a time in which our community’s needs have become broad and diverse. This is an area in which FEPL’s new Chief Executive Officer has extensive experience.

Jen Kendall takes the helm of a library that has always been characterized by change. I remember my first shift working at the Fort Erie Public Library very clearly. I can recall what the library looked like, the services it offered, the staff that provided those services, and the patrons that walked through our doors. I even remember the first patron I served and the book they checked out. The library looks significantly different than when I started. I’ve come to understand that change is always essential for libraries.

Since that first shift at FEPL, several CEOs have come and gone. Each has had a vision for the Fort Erie Public Library, a different background, and unique perspective. What they’ve had in common is a commitment to serving the public and its diverse needs.

Jen Kendall brings that same commitment to public service and community involvement to this role. Her strong vision, coupled with her own unique background, will help serve the Fort Erie Public Library and community as a whole as well. Her appointment as Chief Executive Officer begins on November 11. She is excited to take on the challenge of charting the future for the Fort Erie Public Library.