Library Staff
Erika Heesen
CEO/Chief Librarian
Reporting to the Library Board, the Chief Executive Officer/Chief Librarian supervises all library staff and manages day-to-day operations. In conjunction with the Library Board, the CEO sets library policy and ensures financial accountability. The CEO leads the development of long-term planning and coordinates the library’s community engagement.
Programming & Outreach Team
Heidi Taber
Library Specialist - Children & Youth Services
Heidi originally joined the team in 2004 as a Page. Since then, she has filled many positions within the organization. After taking a seven year hiatus to be a flower farmer, Heidi returned to the library as a Library Assistant. Her dream of working with children grew into reality as she became the Library Specialist - Children & Youth Services in 2020. If you are looking for a welcoming smile, a light-filled space and a good book, head up to the second floor of the library where you'll find all three!
The Library Specialist – Children and Teen Services is responsible for overseeing services to children and teens up to age 18, including planning, collection development, programming, and outreach.
Emily Fournier
Library Specialist – Adult & Senior Services
The Library Specialist – Adult and Senior Services is responsible for overseeing services to adults and seniors, including planning, collection development, programming, and outreach.
Customer Service Team
Julie Hansen
Coordinator – Customer Service
Julie joined the library team in 2011. Since then, she has filled nearly every position within the organization! Julie loves working with the public and takes great pride in offering exceptional customer service. With her long, rich history with the organization, she is well-equipped to oversee day-to-day operations and make the library a welcoming place for all. One of Julie’s favourite things is readers’ advisory – if you’re wondering what to read next, please just ask her!
The Coordinator – Customer Service is responsible for overseeing all front-line and technical services, including circulation, technology, cataloguing, and physical space.
Laurie
Library Assistant
Laurie started the library with a contract that was supposed to last 1 ½ years. It’s been 18 years & she’s still here! Back when the fiction section was upstairs, Laurie used to help patrons & shelve books up there. She really took an interest in the teen section which was very tiny at the time. The position of teen librarian came from her love of teens & the importance of them having a place in the library. She ran many programs as well as book club & the teen media lab. When the library did some restructuring of the staff, Laurie chose to go back to working the circulation desk serving the public & helping people with all of their unique requests. Chances are she will remember your name!
The Library Assistants provide front-line customer service and technical services work.
Jenn
Library Assistant
Jenn has worked at the Perth & District Union Library going on ten years! Jenn enjoys her role as a customer service representative helping library patrons and visitors at the circulation desk, over the phone and via email. She helps patrons with queries of all kinds; books, inter-library loans, movies, museum passes, programs, events, help with computers and electronic resources just to name a few. Jenn enjoys being part of a team and is ready to lend a hand wherever needed. “I value working for such a progressive organization that adapts to the ever-changing needs of those in our community. I’m proud that the library provides a safe and inclusive space for the community”.
The Library Assistants provide front-line customer service and technical services work.
Kendra
Library Assistant
Kendra started at the library in 2015 as a Tech Tutor. She started as a Page in 2016 and a Library Assistant in 2018. She enjoys helping patrons, especially the diversity of their questions and needs. Everyday is different and it keeps her on her toes. She enjoys listening to audiobooks, podcasts, crocheting, baking and more! If you are looking for general tech help, let Kendra know!
The Library Assistants provide front-line customer service and technical services work.
Rachel
Page
Rachel came from careers as an educator and counsellor when she joined the library team in 2009 as a Page while she was in library school. Since then, she has worked in several positions within the library including Children’s Specialist for several years. She is now semi-retired and is working as a Page. She loves putting the library world in order and working with such dedicated colleagues.
The Pages shelve items returned to the library and assists with circulation duties.
Support Team
Paul
Caretaker
The Caretaker cleans the library and does routine maintenance inside and outside the library building.