Glenwood Public Library Director Named

The Glenwood Public Library has a new director.

Lamoni native Tara Painter began her new duties last week, replacing Jenny Ellis who resigned in July.

Painter was initially hired at the library earlier this summer to fill a part-time position and was among several applicants for the director’s job. She has many years of experience working in libraries, most recently as director of acquisitions at the State Historical Society of Missouri in Columbia.

“Her personality and the way she deals with patrons is excellent,” Glenwood Public Library Board spokesperson Terri Craig said. “She has considerable library experience and she’s knowledgeable about technology, which is important to this position.”

Painter and her family have lived in Glenwood for five years. She believes her familiarity with the Glenwood community, library staff and members of the board of directors will make the transition to her new position be a smooth one.

“It was great to get to know the staff and board members before I had even applied,” Painter said.

Painter said one of her top priorities as director will be to make the library a fun place for patrons to come, noting the library already has many resources and programs to offer the community. Expanding programs and providing new offerings is also a priority for Painter and the library board.

“We have so many resources here. We just need to get the word out,” she said. “We have some very loyal patrons. We want to reach out to the community and support staff and we want to reemphasize volunteers.”

One idea being given consideration is to create a “welcome center” at the library for new Glenwood residents who are looking for information about their new community.

Painter and her husband William have a son, Nathan, who is a second grader at Northeast Elementary School. William Painter provides marketing and online development consulting services to universities around the world. He is also co-pastor at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Glenwood and chair of the Mills County Ministerial Association.