Dan Compton has been named director of the Summit County Library System.
Part of the library staff since 2005, Compton, 30, most recently served as the county’s interim library director.
“I chose him because I thought he would do a good job,” Summit County Manager Bob Jasper said. “[Compton] did well as interim.”
Compton replaced former library director Diana Skousen, who resigned her post last spring. Skousen had worked as library director since 2003.
Finding a replacement for Skousen involved a nationwide search.
“We looked at all kinds of people,” Jasper said.
Compton was one of two finalists recommended to Jasper by the Summit County Library Board.
“[Compton] is very smart. He is innovative,” said Rebecca Felton, chairwoman of the Summit County Library Board. “He really loves learning and making sure the opportunity to learn is available to everybody.”
Compton beat out several more experienced applicants, she said.
“Some of the candidates had experience running really large systems with many, many branches,” Felton said.
With the library branch in Coalville ready to expand, Compton said more room now is needed for the Kamas branch.
“Kamas is packed in there tight,” Compton said.
Officials would also like to expand the library at Kimball Junction onto the bottom level of the Sheldon Richins Building.
“We need more space everywhere,” said Compton. “Library space is always an issue.”
Compton said he would also like to revamp the library’s website.
“Our Web presence needs to improve,” he said. “Libraries have a lot more competition than they ever had before.”