Staff photo by Clay Schuldt New Ulm Public Library Director Kris Wiley is leaving the position in June to take a new position in Roseberg, Oregon.

NEW ULM — After nearly nine years with the New Ulm Public Library, Kris Wiley is resigning as director to start new adventure in Roseberg, Oregon.

Wiley’s last day as New Ulm’s library director is June 15. She first came to New Ulm in August 2009 and was named library director four years ago.

Wiley has worn many hats in her lifetime. She started out as a sports journalist in Iowa. She decided to change careers and worked as a nurse for a time. Eventually, she went back to school for her Masters in Library Science. Her first professional library job was in southern Georgia. From there she moved to New Ulm.

Moving to New Ulm was a chance to advance her career. Wiley was able to create programing for the library, network and start grant writing. Looking back on her time in New Ulm, Wiley said her best memories would be of the library staff.

“They really love what they do,” she said. “We each found what we’re good at.”

Wiley also praised the library board and the Friends of the Library group for their support.

“New Ulm is a model for library support,” she said. “The community and volunteers have got the library’s back.” Wiley said everyone in New Ulm seems to understand a strong library adds to the quality of life in a community.

Her favorite part of working in a library is the customer service part of the job and the variety. The most common request is assistance with tracking down a specific book, but recently Wiley was asked to help a patron learn more about an artist featured in the Library’s Art collection.

In her time in New Ulm, Wiley saw several changes in library systems. The rise of e-books and audio streaming books. The Wanda Gag Statue was one of the few physical additions to the library.

Wiley’s move to Roseberg is a chance to have impact on another community.

“Its an adventure,” Wiley said. “This is a chance to get a city library off the ground. I am excited. This is something completely unique.”

She said the Roseberg Library has a similar feel to New Ulm’s but the staffing is minimal. The Roseberg Library was previously a County Library, but after a vote the county decided to stop funding the library. In Feb. the city of Roseberg chose to reopen the library as a city-run facility. The library is not expected to open until the fall, but Wiley will start her new job on July 2. For the first few months her job will be creating policy and helping get the building and staff ready. The Roseberg Library does not officially open until October.

This will be the eighth state Wiley has lived. She previously lived in Seattle, Washington and had always considered returning to the west coast.

Wiley said she enjoys a good adventure and has a tendency to move around. On average she usually stays in one place for two years, but her time in New Ulm was much longer as she found a lot to love in the community.

“I’ll miss it here,” she said. “I enjoyed the last nine years. It has been a great experience.”

The New Ulm library does not have an official replacement for Wiley at this time. Assistant Library Director April Ide will take charge in the interim.