Maureen O’Driscoll, public library director

by Kathryn R. Burke

[Ouray, Colo.  January 19, 2016] Maureen O‘Driscoll is the Director of the Ouray Public Library. It’s a good fit. “I love books. I love being around books. I love talking about books. I especially like talking about books with patrons,” Maureen said.

Her path to the position took her from volunteer, working with former-director Mary Ann Dismant, to part-time helping Chris Reece, who succeeded Mary Ann. “Chris asked me to be her assistant director,” Maureen explained. “When she was ready to cut back, we switched roles. It was a wonderful way to manage the transition and very beneficial to me. We didn’t lose any institutional knowledge, as she was able to consult as things came up over time.”

Maureen also has the educational, technical, and working background that can help patrons improve and enjoy their reading experience. Her undergraduate degree is in communications and English, and she holds a Masters in technical writing and editing (both from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA). She wound up living and working in Washington DC, where she was involved in public relations and business writing.

She is intimately familiar with how to use E-resources. She and her husband, Craig Kaminsky, who is a computer programmer, left the DC area and did some traveling, where they discovered Colorado. They were both working remotely from home and spending a lot of time working with their laptops, using the internet, in the libraries of the towns they visited. “By trade, I am a copy writer,” she explained, “and I loved working in libraries. When we decided to make our home in Ouray, I wanted to do something in the community, so it was natural to volunteer to help at the library.”

Now, Maureen combines her education and experiences to enhance the services available through the Ouray Public Library. She has added a number of E-resources that help patrons. “These technologies, such as audio books, are especially relevant for those who are losing their sight or having vision difficulties. Patrons can check out any electronic book and enlarge the font as much as they need to, making it easier to read. We get them set up so quickly, they can’t believe how easy it is!” she said.

This article also appears on website for the Woman’s Club of Ouray County. Designed and maintained by Kathryn R. Burke