Community
San Leandro Library Director Appointed
Brian Simons brings visionary mindset, innovation, and proven leadership
SAN LEANDRO, CA – Brian Simons has been appointed to serve as Library Director, effective August 26, 2021. Simons was selected by City Manager Fran Robustelli following a national recruitment for the position.
In 2001, Simons began his library career and was subsequently promoted to various roles including the head of Young Adult Services/Reference Librarian and Library Director. For three years, Simons was the executive director for the Brown County Library in Green Bay, Wis. In this role, he supervised 115 employees, established a new fundraising effort for a countywide library of nine facilities and a bookmobile, and oversaw a $7,400,000 annual budget.
“Mr. Simons will bring a wealth of experience leading library systems with similar size, diversity, and scope of the San Leandro Library system,” said City Manager Fran Robustelli. “In particular, Brian has experience in developing community strategic planning processes, advancement of services to increase access to the entire community, creating efficiencies through Lean and Six Sigma projects, rebranding the library as a center for community advancement, successfully developing and mentoring staff, as well as experience in marketing and communication for a wide range of services.”
In response to his appointment, Simons said, “San Leandro provides a rare opportunity to be a part of an already well supported set of library facilities with smart, hardworking library staff members, and at the same time, the community is future focused, looking to elevate not just the library, but the community itself to something greater.
“I look forward to connecting with the community so we can learn how best to facilitate individual and collective growth, understanding, innovation, and realized opportunities so the library can really become the heart and soul of the San Leandro community. These are exciting and important times for San Leandro, and I’m honored to be a part of this community as the next library director.”
