Jennifer Borrell has been selected by the Arlington Heights Memorial Library Board of Trustees to replace longtime board member Debbie Smart, who stepped down in September.
A senior taxonomist at Etsy, Borrell has served on the board of the Friends of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library since 2018. Her volunteer experience also includes work with St. John United Church of Christ, Windsor Elementary School PTA, RefugeeOne, the Arlington Heights youth commission and the League of Women Voters. Her master's degree in library science is from the University of Wisconsin Madison. She moved to Arlington Heights in 2009.
After Smart's retirement announcement September 6, the board fielded nine applications for the open position. Trustees selected four finalists and conducted interviews with them in closed session. The board formally voted in open session on Borrell's appointment and swore her in on October 25.
"We were very fortunate to be able to select from an impressive group of well-qualified candidates. Thank you to all who applied," board President Greg Zyck said in an announcement of the appointment. "At this time, we are honored and thrilled to induct Borrell at the October meeting."
Borrell will serve the remainder of Smart's term, due to expire in May 2023, but has also expressed her intent to be on the April 4, 2023, ballot for a new term.