The grand opening of the newly renovated Northland Public Library may be a bittersweet moment for its executive director, Amy Steele, who is set to retire Feb. 12.

Steele has worked at Northland for 24 years, the past 12 as its executive director.

“While we aren’t quite done yet, the biggest accomplishment has to be the New Northland transformation and raising more than $2.8 million in external funding to make it happen. My fondest accomplishment is working with our foundation to create the Willa Neil Scholarship,” said Steele, referencing longtime employee Willa Neil who retired in 2023 after 55 years of continuous service to the library.

A $4.1 million renovation of the library, which includes a new cafe, should be fully open by this fall. The library had closed only one or two days throughout the renovation process, Steele said.

Kelley Moten, director of library services, will step in as interim director to assist with the transition. Steele lives in McCandless and will be available to help out if needed, she said.

Steele has worked in a variety of libraries since 1982, including the U.S. Geological Survey Library and the BP corporate library in Anchorage.

The Northland Public Library Authority Board is partnering with Bradbury Miller Associates on the search for a new executive director, which is posted at northlandlibrary.org.

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