The City of Mississauga has selected Rona O’Banion as Director, Mississauga Library, effective February 1, 2021. Ms. O’Banion replaces Lori Kelly, who is now the City’s Director, Human Resources.
“I am pleased to welcome Rona to the leadership team,” said Shari Lichterman, Commissioner, Community Services. “She is joining at an exciting time as the Library continues to deliver the services our customers rely on now and into the future. My thanks to Jennifer Stirling for her leadership as Acting Director during the pandemic and transition period.”
O’Banion has 18 years experience as CEO of three Ontario library systems – Wainfleet Township Public Library, Brock Township Public Library and for the past nine years at King Township Public Library.
Her career highlights include transforming and modernizing libraries. Her strategic and capital planning experience includes the development of the new 22,000 sq. ft. multi-use King City Public Library and Seniors Centre and renovation projects in other library systems. O’Banion has also been instrumental in leveraging technology to support change management, library advocacy and staff development.
On behalf of the Mississauga Library Board, Chair Val Ohori commented, “Our Board welcomes Rona to Mississauga and our library team. In this period of accelerated change, we look forward to working with her to help our communities thrive by providing excellent and evolving services. We also extend a very big thank you to Jennifer and staff for establishing safe and creative ways to continue service through these challenging times.”
O’Banion holds Bachelor of Arts degrees from York University in History and Political Science, and a Masters of Library Science from the University of Toronto.
She is recognized as a leader in the broader Ontario library sector. O’Banion has served on the Board of Directors of the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries (FOPL) and various task forces. She has also served as Chair of the Administrators of Medium-sized Public Libraries of Ontario (AMPLO) and Chair of the Library Services Centre (LSC).
More information: City of Mississauga Announces New Director of Mississauga Library.