Two NEKLS public library directors have announced their retirement effective December 31st. Donna Lauffer has been Johnson County Librarian since 2007, and has been with the Johnson County Library System since 1979. She most recently served as the Associate Director for Branch Services and Outreach from 2002-2007 supervising 12 locations, system-wide youth services and outreach services. Throughout the 1990s she oversaw the planning and construction of several libraries facilities ending with the new Gardner Library in 2001. Donna has been involved with the League of Women Voters of Johnson County and Kansas, and she currently serves on the board of the National League of Women Voters.

Marlene Evinger has been the Director of the Eudora Public Library since 1984. During that time she has been responsible for development of library collections and services to serve the rapidly expanding population of Eudora Township, and in 2010 the library joined the NExpress regional catalog under Marlene’s leadership.