Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Warsaw Community Public Library Board of Trustees appointed an interim library director after the resignation of Heather Barron during their meeting on Monday, June 8.
The board had approved the appointment of Dana Owen as interim library director. Owen, who was appointed as interim director before in 2023, stated that she will be in this role until a new director is hired. Owen is the head of technology services and has been at the library for 34 years.
The board appointed a recruitment committee that will consist of Board President Chris Merrill, Secretary Cathi Zdenek and Board Vice President Tim Keyes. This committee will focus on the hiring of a new director of the library.
The WCPL has started a capital improvement fund with the Kosciusko County Community Foundation. People can donate and support the fund, which is a dollar-for-dollar matching fund, meaning any dollar donated will be matched, up to $10,000.
“Through the end of December, any donation will be doubled,” said Ben Rice, board member. “This is through an anonymous donor.”
The Americans and The Holocaust exhibit will take place from June 20 through July 24 with several events to take place. Rice emphasized the AATH exhibit and how much of a great effort the library has put in for it. He stated that there are so many great programs that will be happening, and is excited to see how it will turn out.
In other business:
• Rice brought up “all the good the Friends of the Library are doing,” and noted how “It’s been heartwarming to see the outcry of public support for the library.”
• Jill Beehler told the board she went to the Hall of Heroes convention in Elkhart and stated that it was great and interesting. She stated it was “thanks to my library card” and the digital passport program.
• Adult and youth services have kicked off their summer reading programs.
• The board and the library are working on possible grant writing and fundraising ideas.
The next meeting of the board will be at 4 p.m. Monday, July 13.
