Lawrence Resident Picked as Director of Peninsula Library

Karen Porcella is now living one of her “lifelong dreams” — she’s the new director of the .

The library board appointed the Lawrence resident to the position at its June meeting, and Porcella held her first meeting as director last week.

“I’m so excited and happy. I’ve been in the field for over 30 years,” she said. “I live in the community and I feel like I can take this into the next phase of the library world, so to speak.”

Library Board President Joan Lepelstat said that many candidates were considered for the director position, but Porcella “had a little something extra.”

“She’s extraordinarily capable,” Lepelstat said. “She knows the names and players and provides a sense of continuity.”

Porcella served as the assistant director of PPL for four and a half years. Before that, she worked in various positions for over 20 years at , with the last being head of readers’ advisory and reference services.

Following the position of her predecessor, Arleen Reo, Porcella will continue the library’s years-long search for a new building. Her immediate goal is beefing up customer service at PPL and improving its technology.

“Technology plays a very important role in our daily lives, and I want technology to be up to par with the library,” she said. “But it’s very difficult with an old building.”

The director said that her door is open to the library’s patrons.

“I’m looking forward to meeting people in the community,” Porcella said. “If they have any questions or comments, they’re welcome.”