While you can take the man out of the country, it won’t keep him from thinking outside the box. That’s Martino’s approach as the new Clark County Public Library Director, which he started May 14.
“I was looking for something a little more metropolitan, and with the reputation this library has it was a no-brainer to come here,” he said.
Martino most recently served as Director of the Holmes County District Public Library for the past seven years, and taught history for a Kent State branch campus.
He’s ready to get his feet wet in the job and credits previous Clark County Library Director Sally Rizer and the library’s staff for making the transition smooth.
“They’ve set me up to do great things,” Martino said.
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The Clark County Public Library includes its main location, Park branch and Village branch in Springfield as well as branches in Enon and South Charleston.
He praised the programming all the branches offer and wants to continue to bring in unique programming. Martino would also like to expand the bookmobile program.
“We’ll have our ear to the ground and continue thinking outside the box. Anything we can do to keep people coming in,” Martino said.
Martino is a native of Canton and earned degrees from Hiram College, The University of Akron and Kent State University.
Past positions include Executive Director of the Northeast Ohio Regional Library System, Director of Minerva Public Library and an Assistant Director at the Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County.
Martino plans to add several new chapters during his time here. He looks forward to getting involved in the Springfield community along with his wife, who worked in costuming at The Julliard School for a decade.
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