After nine years at the helm of the Claremont Public Library, library manager Don Slaven is checking out.

Mr. Slaven leaves behind his bookish duties in Claremont to accept a position in the Los Angeles County Public Library’s south region. He began in his new post as head librarian at the Hollydale Library in South Gate on Tuesday, according to the Friends of the Public Library. Mr. Slaven was not available for comment as of press time.

Despite his departure, Mr. Slaven leaves behind an indelible legacy that includes new library programming despite regional cuts and heightened community visibility for the local library, even when it meant sitting through bi-monthly city council meetings just to announce upcoming library happenings.

Later this month, the fruits of Mr. Slaven’s hard work will be realized once more with the grand opening of the library’s newly-remodeled children’s section, the first renovation the area has received since the library first opened its doors in 1975.

Above all, library advocates say they are grateful for Mr. Slaven’s methodical approach and decidedly dedicated ways, which extended to dressing in a wig to judge the Library’s annual spelling bee competition.

“He has always been very supportive of our Friends group,” said Laura Bollinger, past president of the Friends of the Claremont Library. “We really appreciate all the ways he has helped us.”

Current president Lanore Pearlman says she has appreciated Mr. Slaven’s readiness to work with the Friends in aiding their bookstore efforts—allowing the group to set up book carts along the library foyer—and helpfulness in making the organization’s renovation plans a reality.

“He enthusiastically communicated to the county about what we wanted to do and was always available to us for advice,” Ms. Pearlman noted. “He was understanding to his patrons, kind to his employees and overall a great person to work with. We will miss him a lot.”

Christina Cabrera-Labrador, formerly a youth services coordinator with the LA County Public Library’s east region, will step in as the library’s new library manager. More on Ms. Cabrera-Labrador will be included in a future edition of the COURIER.

—Beth Hartnett

news@claremont-courier.com