New HIVE Library Director Lou Regalado plans to use an innovative approach to make the community more involved in library activities. (Roger Sims / Linn County Journal)
By Roger Sims, rsims@linncountyjournal.com
PLEASANTON – The HIVE Library in Pleasanton gave the public an opportunity to formally meet Lou Regalado, the library’s new director, fon Thursday, Oct. 24.
Regalado assumed her post on Sept. 23 and has had a month to settle into her job and learn about the community. She replaces Wendy Morlan, who retired in September after serving as library director for nearly 15 years.
Although she holds a degree in business administration, Regalado brings two years of library experience to the job. She worked for a year at the Indian Creek branch of the Olathe Public Library as well as a year in the library at Prairie Star Middle School in Leawood. She has also worked with young people in another capacity not usually found on the résumé of librarians: She has been a gymnastics coach for 14 years.
Regalado said several things motivated her to apply for the director’s post in Pleasanton.
“The whole job description really kind of called to me,” she said. “They wanted someone who was not traditional and someone who really wanted to bring in kids’ programming, teen programming, and someone to reinvent what was going on here and implement it.”
She was also attracted by the library board’s strategic plan that laid out what they wanted the library to be.
“Their strategic plan just laid everything out so perfectly of what I thought a library could and should be,” she said. “And so I decided, well, why not?
“I’m kind of from a non-traditional background, and I love working with kids and programming, especially with reading. I thought it was a good mix to bring in.”
Regalado – whose family includes husband Mike, a 10-year-old son, an 8-year-old daughter, and a giant, 100-pound-plus mix-breed rescue dog – said she is working with the library’s existing programs and plans to slowly add new programs in the future.
“I’ve spoken with the schools and asked what they want and understand how the library can become a community resource,” she said.
Regalado’s first goal, however, is to get to know the community.
“I just want to welcome everybody, and that’s my goal,” she added.
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