Norwin children's librarian opening new chapter with job change

After 21 years as children’s librarian at Norwin Public Library, Barbara McKee is moving on.

“It’s been a wonderful career here. This is the beginning of a new chapter,” said McKee, a Norwin High School graduate.

She’s leaving May 15 to become the assistant librarian at the Penn State Fayette campus.

McKee’s time at the library predates the opening of the new facility along Caruthers Lane in Irwin in April 2004. She had been in charge of a children’s library that was in the windowless basement of the former library in downtown Irwin. There was less space than the naturally-lit area of the first floor in the current location, which has several windows and space for about 33,000 items.

McKee, who has a bachelor’s degree in library science, began her tenure as a children’s librarian before the explosion of the information age. Still, McKee says she sees a lot of similarities between children of the late 20th century and early 21st century, compared to the youth of today.

“I find that kids today are much the same as they were before. They want to play and talk and still want to make noise,” McKee said.

And if they want to play on a computer, the two computers in the children’s room are programmed just for age-appropriate games, McKee noted.

While the library is generally a place to talk softly, McKee has different rules for her room.

“You don’t have to be quiet in this room. They can be themselves,” McKee said.

One change she has seen, McKee said, is parents in recent years are seeking books with a clear theme for their children.

“They’re looking for books about bullying, moving, divorce and new babies in the family. We have ‘Topic Totes’ with those themed books,” McKee said.

The library is accepting applications for a new children’s librarian, said Diana Falk, director of the Norwin Public Library.

“What makes a great children’s librarian like Barb McKee,” Falk said, is that they “are able to connect and build relationships with our youngest patrons. At the same time, they must be able to develop a rapport with parents, grandparents and educators.

“Barb excelled at fostering these relationships and truly became a trusted partner in the early education of thousands of children over the years,” Falk said.

Excellence in a children’s librarianship, said Ann Andrews, executive director of the Westmoreland County Federated Library System, would be one that “includes respecting diversity and inclusion of cultural values, acknowledging the importance of the library’s physical spaces for children, and designing programs that foster a variety of literacies and learning styles.”

Keeping children engaged often means going to schools and other agencies to meet them, Andrews said.

That is the case of McKee, who reads at the Kindness Club at Norwin’s Hahntown Elementary School. She also works on other programs with the school district.

”Engagement also means creating spaces and providing resources at the library so that children and families can create and explore,” Andrews said.