New Ellwood City library director enjoying her job
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ELLWOOD CITY ― Heather Baker has been enjoying her new job as the director of the Ellwood City Area Public Library.
When former director Veronica Pacella retired in November, Baker applied for the job and was thrilled to get it.
Baker has since been learning on the job with assistance from Pacella.
As director Baker works under an active board of directors taking care of daily business, guiding her staff and problem-solving.
"I love to come to work. There is never a dull moment, something is always happening. You never know when there will be something you never heard of before," Baker said.
The library continues to be the hub of the community with programs for all ages. There are book groups for children to teens and one for 20 plus, also there are two Zoom groups led by Pacella, one for the classics and one for current literature.
Other programs include Hot Cocoa Bingo for grades five through 12 where the students make their own bingo cards and the spaces are devoted to the things of winter like hot cocoa, mittens and snow using marshmallows for markers, Playtime for preschool children where they interact with toys and each other, Read to the Dogs and CPR classes. A room at the library is used for junior and senior students to take college courses for credits under a certified teacher.
An after-school program began March 1, providing a safe place for children grades 5 through 12. The program includes snacks and crafts.
For a full schedule of events go to Ellwood City Area Public Library on Facebook or stop in the library.
"It's just easy to come to work here. This is such an awesome place to work, the staff, the people who come in are all so friendly," Baker said.
After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1988, Baker graduated from Clarion University in 1992 with a degree in business.
After a few jobs, Baker went to work for Patty Walton, the owner of Posies by Patty at that time, but after 10 years Baker decided she wanted to change jobs.
After seeing an ad in the Ellwood City Ledger for a clerk at the Ellwood City Area Public Library, Baker applied and got the job.
"I was always comfortable at the library, my mother took me there for story time and I took my children to story time," she said.
Baker lives in Ellwood City with her husband, Bill, and their three children.
This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Never a dull moment for new Ellwood City library director
