Penn Area Library's new director looks toward more public events, community outreach

James Facer arrived at his new position — executive director for Penn Area Library in Penn Township — by an interesting route.

The Tacoma, Wash., native was living in Chicago when his wife, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, got a job in Pittsburgh in the middle of the covid-19 pandemic.

After eight months as director of New Florence Community Library, Facer was offered the same position in Penn Township. He gave the current staff the credit for handing him the keys to a library that is well-positioned to begin moving into more public events.

“This past year, the library has made a huge push into the online environment,” said Facer, 38. “They were really focused on delivering those types of services. And we want to keep that going forward, especially in this kind of weird transition period, but also as we transition back to what we think normal can be.”

Facer said he wants the library to be able to pivot back to its online-focused services if the health and safety situation — and state guidelines — deem it necessary.

“So we’re starting our summer reading program, and it will be done through the Beanstalk app,” he said. “But we’ll also meet in small groups at the library, meet outside at the park. It’s kind of a tough time for the library right now, figuring out what we want to do and what we can do safely.”

Facer said even in the two weeks he’s been on the job, he’s seen how passionate the patrons and staff are about the library.

“I want to harness that energy and meet people in their areas of interest,” he said. “I did a lot of community outreach library work when I was in Illinois. I was always looking outside the library first. So this period for me is going to be about learning more about the community, doing some research and seeing where we can make those connections.”