David J. Seleb
Certified Harwood Coach
David J. Seleb became a certified coach with The Harwood Institute in 2022 after concluding a 32-year career as a public librarian and public library administrator in Illinois. He retired in February 2022 after serving for almost nine years as the Oak Park Public Library's Executive Director.
A lifelong Chicago area resident, David brought leadership experience and vision for people-centered library services to Oak Park. He attributes the work his library organization accomplished during his leadership to serve the most vulnerable of the community, to identify and eliminate barriers to service, and to advance community objectives to his personal and professional engagement and work with the Harwood Institute and its practice.
Before he joined the Oak Park Public Library, David was the Library Director of the Indian Trails Library District based in Wheeling, IL, David also served as director of the Winnetka-Northfield (IL) Public Library District and the Blue Island (IL) Public Library.
Other positions David has held include Director of Consulting and Continuing Education with the Metropolitan Library System (IL), and has been an active member in his career of the Illinois Library Association, serving as a member of that organization's Nominating Committee, Fundraising Committee, Best Practices Committee, and Public Policy Committee.
David earned his Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Dominican University (IL) in 1995, and his Bachelor’s degree in English from Saint Xavier University (IL) in 1989.
How did you first learn about The Harwood Institute?
I was invited in 2013 by a staff member of the American library Association to participate in Harwood's first Public Innovators' Lab especially for libraries. That was my first experience with Harwood.
How has your work been impacted by the Turning Outward practice?
Since my orientation to Harwood in 2013, all my work and the work of the Oak Park Public Library has been guided by our commitment to turning outward. In the years since, our library has sent dozens of staff members to learn about Harwood principles through innovators' labs, we have led conversations to learn about community aspirations, and we have responded to that learning in many ways, including a new strategic plan committed to aspiration-informed strategic priorities.
How do you view the role of libraries in your community?
The library is the heart of the community. It is among the most open, accessible, and trusted of all community institutions. It connects people to each other and to the world. It serves all, working to break down barriers and to advance more equitable communities and societies. It is a key component of social infrastructure.
What would you say to a library professional who aims to make more positive, lasting impact on their community?
You must listen to your community carefully. You must learn, you must act, and you must be intentional and accountable for the choices you make and the priorities you set. You must put community first.
What are some of your aspirations for your library, your community, and our larger society?
Some of our aspirations include providing much needed space for people to come together to learn, to have a conversation, to listen to each other, to find common purpose. They include finding ways to serve the most needy, the most vulnerable, and the most marginalized among us.