A new executive director has been hired to take over Northland Public Library following the retirement of Amy Steele.
The Northland Public Library Authority Board voted to approve Amanda DeKnight for the position at its Feb. 24 public meeting. DeKnight is set to begin March 23.
“The board is eager for Amanda to bring her energy and vision to the library as it grows into itself following the New Northland renovation project,” said Mike Smith, board president.
DeKnight most recently served as director of the South Park Township Library for the past 10 years.
She has a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Pittsburgh, where she also earned a bachelor’s degree in history, psychology and business.
She also served as a vision council member of the Jefferson Regional Foundation, according to a Feb. 25 announcement from Northland.
Kelley Moten, Northland’s director of library services, will serve as the interim director until DeKnight’s start date.
DeKnight’s experience and success at the South Park Township Library are promising for Northland, Smith said.
The board worked with Bradbury Miller Associates on an extensive job search to find the library’s next leader.
“Northland had 50 applicants for the executive director position. Our search firm shared this number of applicants was very high, an indication that Northland is a premier library that attracted really high-quality candidates from across the U.S.,” Smith said.
Steele of McCandless officially retired as executive director on Feb. 12.
She received several proclamations and citations during the Northland Public Library Authority Board meeting Jan. 27, including from state Reps. Arvind Venkat and Jeremy Shaffer; Bridget Barrett, who is chief of staff to state Rep. Emily Kinkead; and Allegheny County Council members Suzanne Filiaggi and Kathleen Madonna-Emmerling, according to the January meeting minutes.
Before her arrival, DeKnight shared her excitement to join Northland’s already vibrant community center for lifelong learning.
“I can’t wait to see what else is possible in this beautiful facility with this incredibly dedicated staff, board and community,” DeKnight said.
South Park Township has received numerous resumes for its now-open position at the South Park Township Library. DeKnight is helping with the hiring process before her departure, said township Manager Karen F. Fosbaugh.
“We’d like to have someone as soon as possible, but that takes time as well,” she said.
South Park Township Library thrived under DeKnight’s stewardship, Fosbaugh said.
“The library is a gem in our community. It’s a wonderful resource for our residents. Amanda has done a wonderful job in advancing the library in her time here,” Fosbaugh said.
While she enjoyed their great working relationship, Fosbaugh was pleased to hear Northland hired DeKnight, who said it was her “dream job.”
Northland is the second largest library in Allegheny County, serving residents of Bradford Woods, Franklin Park, McCandless, Marshall and Ross.
To learn more about the library’s offerings, visit northlandlibrary.org/new-northland and follow Northland on Facebook and Instagram @NorthlandLibrary.