Library Trustees Elect Officers

The Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library announces the election of officers for the Board of Trustees 2021-2022. Jim Edwards will serve as Board Chair, Vice Chair Kacy Simonsen, Secretary Joan Hicks and Treasurer Shawn Leisinger.

Jim Edwards was appointed to the library board by former Mayor Larry Wolgast in 2016 and is serving his second, three-year term as a trustee. He will lead the Board as it continues to ensure library operations, strategic and otherwise, work toward the fulfillment of its strategic plan. Edwards is retired from a career that spanned 36 years with the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and 10 years with the Kansas Association of School Boards. He holds a BS from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Edwards and his wife Ethel love Topeka and want its citizens to have the opportunities to grow and prosper in the future because of a well-established and functional library that meets the present and future needs of the community.

Vice Chair Kacy Simonsen is a project manager and estimator at CAS Constructors. She has a bachelor’s degree in construction science and management from Kansas State University. Simonsen is co-founder of Silverbackks and a founding member of Capital City NOW. She supports the Ronald McDonald House Charities by being a founding member and current president of the Red Shoe Crew and serving on the Lance Elliott Pull A Plane planning committee.

“I think the library is and has been a wonderful asset to our community and I want to continue to see it provide joy and learning to others for the near and far future. Being a trustee allows me the opportunity to pass on the community’s interest and concerns with library products, activities and benefits.”

Secretary Joan Hicks is serving her first term as a library trustee. She is an accountant for Heartland Works, Inc, and has a history of attending library meetings and library art exhibits such as the African American Builders of Topeka. Hicks and her children have been library users from an early age.
 
“The library is a valuable resource for all,” said Hicks. “It should be inviting for everyone regardless of racial background, faith or sexual orientation with materials and programs relevant to each and everyone in the community. … I am thrilled to be able to add an African American woman's perspective to discussions being had at the table. Not that I speak for all African American women, but I believe I will offer a unique perspective!” 
 
Treasurer Shawn Leisinger became a library board trustee in 2018 and is the Associate Dean for Centers and External Programs at Washburn University School of Law. He holds a JD of Law from Washburn Law and a bachelor’s in psychology and sociology from Wichita State University. Leisinger’s past volunteer work included service as chair of the Topeka Civic Theatre & Academy Board of Trustees. He has also provided pro bono legal work and trainings for non-profit boards around the area.
 
"I have always admired the fact that the library has kept up with changes in technology and user needs and desires and continues to do so," said Leisinger. "I look forward to continuing to work with the staff, administration and other board members to continue to move the library forward to serve our community in the coming years."

Other members of 2021 Board of Trustees are Liz Post, immediate past chair, Kristen Brunkow O’Shea, Beth Dobler and Jennifer Miller. The 10-member library board is comprised of seven representatives appointed by the Mayor of Topeka and three representatives appointed by the Shawnee County Commission. There are currently two vacancies on the library’s board due the expiration of Kerry Onstott Storey’s term May 1, and the recent passing of David Monical on May 11.
 
All trustees volunteer their time to serve on the board and govern the 2016 Gale/Library Journal Library of the Year. The library provides the Topeka and Shawnee County community with literacy and learning resources, an art gallery, café, gift shop, meeting rooms, 4-G WiFi and a digital collection that is open 24/7.