As Lisa Rives Collens takes the reins as the new director of Schlow Centre Region Library this month, she faces a set of unprecedented challenges, as the library prepares to adjust to post-pandemic life.
Fortunately, the library and its dedicated staff have already proven they are well-equipped to adapt to changing circumstances.
Before COVID-19 gripped the country in March 2020, 800-1,000 people were visiting Schlow Library in-person each day. The pandemic forced the library to close its doors to the public, but that did not prevent the library from continuing to serve the community.
Collens, who previously served as head of patron services, says, “It took us maybe a week or two, but we really just pivoted hard, and we gradually continue to figure out ways to offer more services safely.”
Schlow Centre Region Library’s next director is already a familiar face around the downtown State College institution.
Lisa Rives Collens, currently head of patron services at Schlow, will succeed Cathi Alloway as the library’s director. Alloway is retiring on April 2 after 50 years in the library profession, including the last 10 at Schlow.
The Schlow Library Board of Trustees unanimously approved Collens’ appointment last week and the Centre Region Council of Governments General Forum confirmed the appointment on Monday night.
The search for the next director drew applications from candidates all around the eastern United States, COG executive director Eric Norenberg said.