Oshkosh Public Library is pleased to announce the appointment of Darryl Eschete as the new library director, effective Jan. 15. 
Eschete brings a wealth of experience to his new role, currently serving as Director at West Des Moines Public Library in Iowa, a position he’s held since 2012. Prior to that he was the Director at Chippewa Falls Public Library in northwestern Wisconsin, and Head of Reference at Terrebonne Parish Library in Louisiana. His bond with libraries began as a child spending countless hours at Terrebonne and later taking a job as a page there at the age of 15.
His impressive background, which includes improving organizational efficiency; leading a $1.3 million building renovation project; and leveraging funding and partnerships to advance library and community initiatives; makes him exceptionally well-suited to lead the Oshkosh Public Library into the future.
As the President of the Library Board, Bill Bracken expressed his confidence in Eschete’s abilities. “Darryl has an impressive track record of putting patrons first and finding innovative ways to connect with the community,” he said. “I am confident that he will be a dynamic advocate for literacy and learning, positioning the library as a vital resource and leader in building community.”
In addition to leadership roles in the Iowa Library Association Foundation, Eschete has been a featured blogger for the American Library Association Intellectual Freedom Roundtable. He also led his library’s involvement in several municipal and community initiatives in West Des Moines.
Eschete graduated from Nicholls State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication. After graduation, he attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, earning a Master of Library and Information Science.
His qualifications make him the perfect fit for this important role. “I’m very grateful to the Oshkosh Public Library Board and the City of Oshkosh for trusting me with their library, which, to me, is like a town’s heart,” he said. “I hope and expect that we will all make a most productive and effective team for this beautiful city and that we will serve the citizens with focus and creativity.”
The Board of Trustees and library staff wish to extend their gratitude to Assistant Library Directors Ruth Percey and Lisa Sumter Voss who served as Interim Co-Directors during the search period. Their steadfast leadership ensured the library continued to thrive.
Oshkosh Public Library looks forward to the exciting developments Director Darryl Eschete will bring to the community and the library.
Publication date: Nov. 30, 2023
