NILES — In the 1980s and ‘90s, Steve Compoe and his grandmother had a tradition: visiting the Niles District Library.

Back when the current rotunda of the library made up the bulk of the library’s space, Compoe recalls checking out books and participating in the library’s summer reading program, fostering a love for literature he has carried with him throughout his life.

Fast forward to 2019, and the child carefully selecting his next read is helping others do the same — and much more.

Tuesday night, Compoe was named the library’s newest director, succeeding Nancy Studebaker, who retired. The decision was made by the library’s board of directors, who knew of Studebaker’s intention to retire and interviewed Compoe during the regular meeting Tuesday.

“I’ve come full circle from being the small kid in the building, to being able to lead,” Compoe said. “It’s kind of bittersweet [to see Studebaker leave]. I’m excited to take the reins, but I’ll definitely miss her. She led the big change here through her vision.”

Formerly the assistant director at the library, Compoe is well acquainted with Studebaker’s vision, and has been a key leader in implementing it. He said the library staff shares the desire to remain relevant and must adapt and change to best suit the needs of its patrons.

“If we stayed the way we were with just being the quiet place with a ton of books, we were going to stagnate and eventually die off,” Compoe said.

About eight years ago, the Niles library closed its doors for renovations. When patrons were welcomed back into the building, they witnessed more changes than new paint and furniture; the library staff — Compoe included — had a new vision.

“It was reaching out to the community to find the gaps that we could fill to kind of become that community center to offer more than just materials,” he said. “We are in the business of providing information, and information can come in many forms — not just the traditional book.”

In addition to books and other materials, the library also offers a wide range of programming and services. On a typical day at the library, patrons may bring little ones to listen to books read aloud or participate in crafts. They may join in on chess club or organized board game sessions. They may gather in the rotunda for a concert — or bring their NERF guns for an after-hours battle.

Patrons can also visit the library to be connected with government services, or to seek advice from a social services expert. Niles Community Schools utilize the library’s basement for its adult education program, and patrons can rent just about anything they can think of from the Library of Things. One of Compoe’s favorite activities happens outside the library building, when fellow readers gather at Niles bars or coffee shops to discuss the latest book club picks.

“People are always surprised to hear about the amount of programming and types of services we offer,” Compoe said.

Under Studebaker’s leadership, the library was recognized for the pivotal change in vision. In 2015, the Niles District Library was named Library of the Year by the state of Michigan.

Compoe, who joined the library staff shortly before Studebaker, is looking forward to carrying on the torch.

“I’d say our vision is pretty much the same,” he said. “Maybe some of the avenues that we’ll take will be different.”

Compoe was first hired at the library as a library page in 2001, the same year he graduated from Brandywine High School. In the 18 years since, he has worked in every department except for processing.

“[The library is] actually my second job — I only had one other previous job out of high school,” Compoe said. “It just seemed like a neat place to work. I loved reading.”

Compoe’s library career started while he was studying to become an elementary school teacher at Western Michigan University.

“I got that degree and realized that that wasn’t where I was supposed to be, that the library was calling me,” he said.

Now 37, Compoe and the library have both changed since his days visiting regularly with his grandmother, and he looks forward to even more changes in the future. He resides in Niles with his wife and their two children: an 8-year-old and a 3-year-old.

“I love just trying to keep the balance between the newness of the library and the direction that we’re going in, and still providing those traditional services that people depend on,” he said.