DOWNEY - Current Columbia Memorial Space Center Executive Director Ben Dickow will now be overseeing daily management of the Downey City Library, effective July 1.
 
In previous years, function of the City Library had been overseen by the Director of Community Services with daily management oversight by the mid-management position of City Librarian.
 
In 2010, the City Librarian position was vacated due to the incumbent’s retirement, and the position eliminated as part of the Fiscal year 2011-12 budget reductions.
 
The Assistant to the City Manager has provided management oversight of the Library since 2012.

Council unanimously voted to hand over the responsibilities to Dickow at the Council meeting on June 27.
 
Dickow will receive a 5 percent increase to his salary due to the changes, now making just under $11,184 per month.
 
According to Dickow, he will still be spending a majority of his time with the CMSC and that there will truthfully be little to no change, saying that Library staff is “great and on top of things.”
 
While there is currently no plan as of now, Dickow said he foresees plenty of opportunity for even further collaboration between the space center and Library.