Elm Grove library director moving to Tosa post

After four years in Elm Grove, Robert Trunley will be leaving his post as Elm Grove library's director. Trunley, a well-known and highly visible administrator will be leaving to become the assistant director at Wauwatosa Public Library.

"I love this library, I love this community but it's time to move on," Trunley said, adding he will be leaving in June to assume his new position.

Trunley has overseen the addition of new technology and new programs at the library, as well as a recent donation of a stained-glass mural of the library's first cardholder.

"I will certainly miss my colleagues, as well as the Library Board and village staff," he said.

"I have made many friends here, especially among the citizens who use the library. Without a doubt I will also miss the Friends of the Elm Grove Library, an organization that is second to none."

Taken by Tosa

Mary Murphy, director of the Wauwatosa Public Library, said it was made clear during the hiring process that Trunley has the characteristics her library is looking for in an assistant director.

His technical background will segue nicely into his work with the automated systems in Wauwatosa with his responsibilities in service and circulation, she said. Trunley will still be able to maintain the high level of visibility he has in Elm Grove, and will be called upon to be one of the faces of the Wauwatosa library.

"We're looking forward to having him with us. There's plenty of work to do," Murphy added.

Remembered in Elm Grove

For Trunley, it's a new beginning, but also the end of a career in Elm Grove, where he earned the respect of his colleagues in just a short time. Village President Neil Palmer said, "I will miss him, and the library will miss him.

"He's charming. He's hard-working. He's smart. He's creative."

Palmer remembers an instance in which just about everything in the area closed down due to horrible winter weather, but Trunley came from his home near West Bend and opened the library.

Village Manager Dave De Angelis said: "He's been a great library director for the village of Elm Grove."

But Trunley refused to take too much credit for the library's success.

"It will be a great library long after I am gone."