After nearly 10 years at the Downers Grove Public Library (DGPL), Julie Milavec will be retiring as the library’s Director on March 2, 2026.
Milavec’s leadership ushered in the 21st century library for Downers Grove, elevating its services to be driven by community involvement, customer service, and collaboration. Services were enhanced and created to respond to expressed needs of the community including: the social work programs; numerous partnerships with community organizations; increased programming and outreach; and a fiscally responsible capital improvement plan. Downers Grove’s use of the library has grown significantly during her tenure, surpassing over 1.1 million checkouts and 438,000 visits in 2025. Her hard work led the library to be named a 5-Star Library by Library Journal in 2022 with continued recognition from other professional organizations such as the Illinois Library Association (ILA) throughout the years. “Under Julie's leadership, the Downers Grove Public Library has been not only a cornerstone of our community, but a model for other libraries throughout Illinois,” said Library Board President, Matt Topic.
Milavec has been an executive director for over 30 years, previously leading the Worth Public Library, West Chicago Public Library, and Plainfield Public Library. Throughout her career, Milavec shared her talents with numerous individuals, libraries and organizations, including serving as a previous Treasurer of the Illinois Library Association; Director-at-Large of the ILA Executive Board; member of the ILA Finance and Reporter Advisory Committees; board member of Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) and System Wide Automated Network (SWAN), and Prairie Cat; participant in the Illinois State Library Advisory Committee; presenter at national and state conferences. She is a mentor to many and utilizes her knowledge and experience to lift other professionals. Milavec’s many contributions to the library profession earned her the honor of being named the Librarian of the Year by the Illinois Library Association in 2025. This year, Milavec has been nominated to be an ILA Illinois Library Luminary, which is an honorable designation for those who have made significant contributions to Illinois libraries. To learn more about supporting this nomination, visit the ILA Luminaries website.
“As I step into retirement, I’m filled with gratitude and excitement. Gratitude for the memories we’ve created and the lessons I’ve learned, and excitement for the adventures that lie ahead… DGPL makes a difference in people’s lives every day - whether it’s preparing our kids to be successful in school or providing a social outlet for seniors, what we do matters. Thank you for making this journey unforgettable. I look forward to the next chapter for me and for DGPL,” said Milavec.
The Library Trustees began a national search for a new director in December, 2025. 56 applicants applied for the position, with 19 of the 56 from out-of-state candidates. The Board of Library Trustees is currently in the process of selecting a new director for DGPL and looks forward to announcing the new director when the time comes.
Community members are invited to attend a farewell reception following the February Board of Library Trustees meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at 7 p.m., located at the Betty Cheever Council Chambers at the Downers Grove Civic Center.