SEFLIN Names Douglas Crane Administrator of the Year

​Library Director Douglas Crane was recognized by the Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN) as the Administrator of the Year at their annual conference in Miami on Oct. 23. Below is the text from the letter of acknowledgement.​

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SEFLIN proudly honors Douglas Crane, director of the Palm Beach County Library System, with the '2025 Beacon Award for Administrator of the Year. With more than a decade of leadership, Crane has guided his library system through hurricanes, a pandemic and transformative change, all with compassion, clarity and vision.

Under his direction, the system expanded hours, added new branches, eliminated overdue fines and launched a fine forgiveness initiative. Crane's commitment to staff development is evident in his weekly newsletters, virtual town halls and the return of an all-staff day after a 14-year hiatus.

Crane is a tireless advocate for libraries, forging strong partnersh​ips with local governments, nonprofits, and state leaders. His efforts have connected the library to broader county initiatives, including early voting, COVID-19 relief and workforce development. His leadership helped turn a potential conflict with the Town of Hypoluxo into a collaborative success, resulting in a new library branch.

A respected mentor and speaker, Crane shares his insights through his blog, Efficient Librarian, and has trained professionals across Florida and beyond. His accolades include the Florida Librarian of the Year, three Golden Palms, and the Distinguished Toastmaster designation.

Crane exemplifies SEFLIN's pillars of connect, advocate and develop, making him a deserving recipient of this inaugural award.