Julie Rothenfluh, AAUW Naperville Area 2019 Woman of the Year

AAUW Naperville Area is pleased to recognize Julie Rothenfluh as our 2019 Woman of the Year. Ms. Rothenfluh began her 22 years of service and contributions to the Naperville Public Library system at Nichols Library in 1997 as the assistant head librarian in the children’s department. It was an ideal job for a person with a lifelong passion for young people’s literature. However, she sought a position with more decision making authority and became the manager of the 95th St. Library.

Having a strong belief in a library’s role of providing access to information and entertainment — no matter the form — Rothenfluh wanted to affect the future of a changing institution in a growing city. She was promoted to deputy director of the three-library system. Then in 2013 she advanced to Naperville Public Library Executive Director. During her time as library leader, the system renovated each of its three buildings, set a new strategic direction, adapted to changing technology and offered new types of access to materials that didn’t require visiting a building. Ms. Rothenfluh’s guidance in modernizing our community libraries provided opportunities and resources for women and girls to explore new careers, especially in STEM, when she championed establishing the first Girls Who Code Club in an Illinois public library. Rothenfluh retired in 2019.