Heather Chaddock serves as the executive director at Westchester Public Library. In her role, she acts as the liaison between the library staff and the library’s Board of Trustees.
“I oversee the staff who keep things running day to day, and then I work with the board to develop our budget, our policies, and all the rules that govern the work we do here in the library,” Chaddock said.
Chaddock has been in her role for two years, but worked for the library for over a decade.
“I've been director for about two years, and then I’ve worked here in the library system for more than 10 years,” she said. “I think I started in 2014.”
Chaddock has always loved libraries - even as a child. She has fond early memories of reading library books and going to the library with family members.
“I always loved going to libraries,” she said. “As a kid, my Grandma Jean used to bring my twin brother and I to the Oak Lawn Public Library in Illinois, and those are some of the fondest childhood memories and reading.”
Her love of reading led her to major in English at Valparaiso University.
“I was a big reader as a kid,” Chaddock said.
Working with some wonderful librarians ultimately led her to pursue a librarian career so she decided to pursue a master’s in library science at Dominican University.
“I just started applying everywhere for library jobs,” she said. “I was lucky enough to end up around here where I went to school.”
Chaddock still loves reading today, especially memoirs. As a child she read books from “The Babysitter’s Club” and “The Little House on the Prairie” series. “The Velveteen Rabbit” was also one of her favorites.
At Westchester Public Library and across the library network, anyone with a library card in the network can download an app called Libby, which gives them access to audio books.
“I listened to an audio book, which anybody with a library card can do anywhere in Northwest Indiana,” Chaddock said. “We all have the same app called Libby; and you can listen to audio books and read e books for free with your library card.”
Chaddock and her husband have two girls, Margo and Imogen, ages 7 and 9. The family spends a lot of time outside together.
“We like to spend time outdoors,” Chaddock said. “The girls, my husband Jordan, and I like to go to the Dunes and hang out at the beach. We've recently been staying at Gabis Arboretum and we love that, too.”
Reading opens doors, including to interests, information, and inspiration. For Chaddock, it certainly has!