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Release
May 5, 2003
New Library Director hails from Berthoud
A 24-year veteran of library administration, Broomfield’s new Director of Library Services is Roberta Depp, current library director at the Berthoud Public Library. She will take the reins at Broomfield’s Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library on June 9, becoming the third library director in Broomfield’s history.
Her predecessor, Helen Martin, retired in April after 27 years of service.
Hugh Brown, director of Community Resources, the umbrella department which includes the library, along with recreation services and open space, was delighted that Depp accepted the Broomfield position.
“Roberta brings an excellent background as Library Director in varied communities. From discussions with others in each of these communities, she left a strong and positive impact,” Brown said.
Depp has been with Berthoud since 1996. Prior to that, she was library director in the Town of Glastonbury, Conn. for eight years, and director of the Eagle County library in Eagle, Colo. for nine years. Depp also has worked as a middle school librarian, an editor for a publishing company, and currently is also owner-operator for RJD Associates, a library building consulting firm.
Brown noted that, from her interview and references, Depp is a strong advocate of the library being active in the community and meeting the needs of residents. “She is also very creative in finding resources to accomplish community goals,” he said.
Depp participated in an extensive recruitment process for the Broomfield library director slot. Brown noted that she
impressed the library staff and the Library Board during the process. “They appreciated her enthusiasm and professional commitment to responsive library services and look forward to working with her,” he said.
Interim library director Susan Simmons said, “We met with Roberta. She impressed everyone and will bring a lot of good ideas with her. We’re all excited to have her. She’s anxious to get back to a library of our size, and we’re anxious for her to get here!”
Depp notes that she regards technology as a basic element of library operations and service provision. “Automation now affects almost every aspect of library services and needs to be an essential part of the planning and development of a library’s overall program,” she said. At the Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library, she will be right at home with the technology implemented in the two-year-old community asset.
Depp has a Masters degree in librarianship from the University of Denver, a B.S. in education from the State University of New York at Geneseo, and has studied American Literature at the graduate level at State University of New York at Brockport.
“I am very pleased to have her join the Community Resources team. She will further strengthen our role in adding to the quality of life of Broomfield residents,” Brown concluded.