North Central Regional Library holds meet-and-greet reception for Executive Director Candidates to meet the Community

A national search for the next director of the North Central Regional Library has been narrowed down to three finalists. On Thursday July 12, 2018 from 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. the public is invited to meet candidates and ask questions at the Wenatchee Public Library located at 310 Douglas St, Wenatchee, WA 98801. The candidates will give brief presentations about their experience and vision for the Library.  The director reports to the Library Board of Trustees, which is empowered to select the director.

Learn more about the final candidates:

Barbara Walters is a longtime resident of the Wenatchee Valley and began her career at North Central Regional Library in 1994 as a youth librarian. She joined the Library’s executive leadership team in 2007 as the Manager of Information Technology and was promoted to Deputy Director in 2017. Walters has been serving as Acting Director for the past year. Her accomplishments at an executive level include: increasing staff training in community engagement, increasing outreach to senior facilities, schools, and detention centers by expanding bookmobile services, and finding creative ways to keep the country’s first mail-order library sustainable. Walters is passionate about the important role that the North Central Regional Library plays in developing vibrant and engaged communities.

Laurel Prysiazny brings 26 years of experience serving communities and developing libraries into institutions that are considered a key cornerstone of the community. Prysiazny recently served as the Acting Dean for the Library and Student Learning Support Services Division with Fresno City College. Prior to that, she was the Deputy Director for Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix and later served as the County librarian for Fresno County. She has implemented innovative programs and services to her community including the Digi-Bus mobile computer lab, WithOut Walls Mobile Library, and Citizenship Corners.

Candelaria Mendoza was born and raised in Eastern Washington and is a Washington State University and San Jose State University alumni with over sixteen years of library experience. She held multiple positions during her time at Mid-Columbia Libraries and currently serves as Library Services Administrator at San Antonio Public Library. During this time, Mendoza has led or participated in many initiatives that include: outreach to diverse populations, collection development, capital projects, early literacy, strategic planning, digital inclusion, community engagement, youth services and digital services. Mendoza has also been an active member of the American Library Association and the Public Library Association with numerous committee appointments.

More information about the position is available on Library’s website Click here