Dave Schroeder started shelving books at the Kenton County Public Library's Covington branch in 1986, when the building had one computer and staff dreaded changing typewriter ribbons at the reference desk. He left as the system's executive director, closing a nearly 40-year chapter that reshaped how residents across Kenton County use their library.

Schroeder, a Ludlow native who earned his history degree from Thomas More University in Crestview Hills, is only the third director in the library system's history. He took the top job in 2006 after predecessor Wayne Onkst was appointed Kentucky State Librarian.

"Dave has Northern Kentucky in his veins," Onkst said in a profile published by LINK nky. "He was born here, and his family is very involved in all kinds of local affairs, civic affairs, and so he knows the area inside out."

Under Schroeder's leadership, the library opened its New Latonia branch in June 2025, the system's first new location in 31 years. More than 1,000 people showed up on opening day. Covington Mayor Ron Washington and Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann joined the ribbon cutting. Schroeder said the library chose Latonia because it wanted a children-focused neighborhood.

He also built a workforce development program that launched during the 2008 recession and grew into a regional draw. The American Library Association later included Kenton County in a national study alongside Brooklyn, N.Y., and Phoenix. Participants now drive from Dayton, Louisville and Lexington to use the program.

The library's Faces and Places digital collection, which Schroeder helped launch while heading the history and genealogy department, houses more than 100,000 photographs of Northern Kentucky.

Programming across the system drew 170,000 attendees in 2025, spanning story times, STEM activities, genealogy sessions and author talks. The library serves residents in Fort Mitchell, Crestview Hills, Edgewood, Villa Hills and surrounding communities through branches in Covington, Erlanger, Latonia and Independence.

Independence Branch Manager Faith Mulberry praised Schroeder's management style, telling LINK nky that he created space for staff to experiment. Her favorite phrase to hear from him: "Go for it."

Onkst, who first hired Schroeder as a teenage shelver, said the retiring director was a leader among Kentucky librarians who guided the system through two decades of rapid change.

What comes next

Dr. Denise Fritsch, a lifelong Kenton County resident, assumed the executive director role on Aug. 1 following a nationwide search, according to a Kenton County Public Library announcement. Fritsch began her own library career as a children's librarian at Kenton County Public Library before spending more than 20 years in leadership roles at Gateway Community & Technical College and other institutions. She returned to the system in 2025 to lead its Career & Job Services Division.

Library Board President Iliana Rosales-Figueroa said in the announcement that Fritsch has earned the trust and respect of colleagues across the organization.

Schroeder announced his retirement in March. His last day was July 31.