Centre County Library Welcomes New Executive Director

On April 2, Denise Sticha took the reins as executive director of the Centre County Library and Historical Museum. She comes to Bellefonte from her previous position as system administrator of Berks County Public Libraries. 

Prior to her six years in Berks County, Sticha served as executive director at Westmoreland County Federated Library System and was director of Murrysville Community Library for 20 years.

“I am happy to be coming back to being a library director,” said Sticha. “I have missed that.”

Sticha, who received her master’s degree in library science from the University of Pittsburgh,has been active on a statewide level in professional and community advocacy on behalf of public libraries. She will be serving as president of the Pennsylvania Library Association in 2018-19.

A resident of Halfmoon Township, Sticha met her fiancé in State College and was a weekend commuter for awhile. She said she is enjoying the area and is making plans for the library.

“I’m getting the lay of the land,’ she said. ‘There is a big anniversary coming up in 2019, and my team will be working on that with me. I am privileged to have a very energetic, community-service-minded group of people on the library staff. I want to stay on the cutting edge, but not abandon the history and purpose of libraries.”

John Sengle, board president, said in a press release “We are delighted to be able to secure the services of a professional who cares very deeply about the value of libraries and their essential role as an anchor of community literacy.”

Centre County Library and Historical Museum has branches in Bellefonte, Centre Hall and Philipsburg, as well as a countywide Bookmobile service.