Renee Cox Appointed to Fill Wilmette Library Board of Trustees Vacancy

The Wilmette Public Library Board of Trustees appointed Renee Cox to fill a vacancy on the board at their Tuesday, October 18 meeting.

Jan Barshis was originally elected to this seat in April 2019. Ms. Barshis resigned from her post in August 2021, and former trustee Stuart Wolf was appointed to fill the vacancy. The seat became vacant again in late July 2022, when Mr. Wolf moved out of the library district.

Thirteen Wilmette residents applied for the seat, all of whom were interviewed by trustees on September 19. The board discussed the candidates in closed session on September 20, and subsequently moved forward with their top candidate.

“The board is pleased with the number of qualified and engaged residents that interviewed for the trustee vacancy,” said board president Lisa McDonald. “We value Ms. Cox for her community involvement as well as her use and knowledge of Wilmette Public Library. She is a welcome addition to the board with her higher education managerial and social services experiences working with youth and diverse individuals.”

A longtime resident of Wilmette, Renee Cox brings a wealth of professional and community experience to the board. She is currently the director of sponsored projects at North Park University. Ms. Cox volunteers with the New Trier Township Mental Health Committee and Connections for the Homeless in Evanston, and serves as a mentor for a refugee family from Syria through the First Presbyterian Church of Evanston.

“I’ve lived in Wilmette for 20 years and have always viewed the library as a vital resource for our community. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as a trustee and look forward to working with the library board and staff,” said Ms. Cox.

Renee Cox will begin her term immediately and will hold the position until the April 2023 consolidated election results are final.