New Sewickley Public Library executive director passionate about providing resources

Ruth Neely believes in providing information and resources for all — that access to knowledge is key to getting the most this world has to offer.

Her creed has fueled a career of service surrounded by books, various media and activities.

She has recently begun a new professional chapter as Sewickley Public Library’s executive director.

“What truly drew me to libraries was having the belief of having quality information available to everyone, and for free,” she said. “This equitable sharing of resources to create a better informed population or to improve the quality of life for a community, that’s what really spoke to me.

“That might be through the books, but it also might be through programming or other resources that can be made available through a library.”

Neely, 35, served as Sewickley Academy’s director of libraries the past nine years before pivoting careers to the public sector.

“I know this community,” Neely said. “I know that’s an incredible library. I know that I can bring something unique to the table with my school background. So, I’ll throw my hat in the ring.”

She formally took the reins from retired director Carolyn Toth mid July.

Toth, a Bethel Park native, worked as a library assistant at Winchester Thurston School for three years and served as Community Library of Castle Shannon director for nine years before joining Sewickley as its top administrator in September 1998.

Neely said Toth has been a tremendous help with the transition, and they still have occasional discussions.

Library board president Bernard John said the director search began in November with the assistance of Bradbury Miller Associates.

The company brings “great libraries and great leaders together,” according to its website.

“We received a strong pool of 23 applicants,” John said. “The search committee narrowed the field of applicants and requested a handful of candidates make presentations to the board and staff. Ruth M. Neely exhibited strong leadership skills, a wonderful level of comfort and composure with the staff, and a forward-thinking mindset.

“These qualities coupled with her education and work experience confirmed that Ruth possessed the necessary tools to succeed as the next Sewickley Public Library executive director.”

Her starting salary is $85,000.

Backstory

Neely grew up the daughter of Jack and Jill Neely of South Hills. Her parents would often bring her to the Mt. Lebanon Public Library.

She graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School in 2007.

Admittedly not much of a reader as a teen, her love of literature resurfaced in Oakland.

“Many readers take a break middle school, high school when they are overwhelmed with course work and being a teenager and then return to reading when they get a little older,” Neely said. “I don’t think that’s an uncommon narrative.”

Neely earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and political science with a focus on political philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh, and also a master’s in library and information science from Pitt.

She worked in the university’s school library certification program and is a certified teacher.

Neely, a former barista, received tips on how to run a library from her uncle, Ahmed Tabib, a native of Libya who came to the United States and also earned a master’s at Pitt. He retired as a Henrico County, Va., library manager and now works in a coffee shop.

“We talk about coffee (and) we talk about books,” Neely said. “We talk about library management, the future of libraries.”

One of his messages was to learn how to be a desk clerk, know how to do as much as possible and spend time out of the office and on the floor.

“I think it is important that a director does know how to do everything in the library,” Neely said. Her time on the floor also helps toward building relationships with fellow staffers.

Neely has a family connection in Sewickley’s history.

Her four-times great grandfather, William Neely Sr., opened the first blacksmith shop in the borough along Beaver Road in the mid-1800s.

He trained his sons Hiram, Neely’s three-times great grandfather, and William Jr. to work in the family business. They moved from Beaver Road to what is now referred to as Locust Place and then the intersection of what is now Chestnut and Washington streets.

Public intro

A meet and greet with the new director is scheduled for 9-10 a.m. Sept. 14 at the library, 500 Thorn St.

Drinks will be provided by Press House Coffee.

September is also Love your Library Month.

The Jack Buncher Foundation donated $200,000 to the Allegheny County Library Association, which will be distributed to member libraries like Sewickley.

The foundation will also match donations made at said libraries, up to $500 per donor per library, through the end of the month.

Neely lives in Bellevue with her husband, Nate Bell, their 2-year-old son, Finnegan Bell, 3-year-old poodle/St. Bernard mix, Woola, and 10-year-old turtle, Pancake.