Posted: 12/5/07
Meet the new leader of the EC library system
 Barbara Misselt |
By Rachel Kytonen
Isanti County News
When Barbara Misselt took over in September as director of the East Central Regional Library System, she was immediately faced with a crisis.
"The library automation system had crashed just prior to my coming," Misselt said. "I got involved right away with installing a new automation system and spent about two weeks catching up on back-log projects."
Along with installing a new automation system, Misselt has also spent time redesigning the library system's website, and she expects the new site to be launched in the near future.
Previously Misselt had been an assistant director of Southeastern Libraries Cooperating (SELCO), the library system headquartered in Rochester, serving southeast Minnesota.
Prior to working for SELCO, Misselt worked for the Air Force Library system, and left there after her husband retired from his career in the Air Force.
Misselt is looking forward to her new endeavor.
"I enjoy helping people find the information they need," Misselt said. "When this position opened I was looking for a change and embraced the opportunity to be the director. I've always admired the East Central Regional Library System and knew the previous director. I'm glad to be working for a small town, rural area."
Misselt said the new library automation system is working well and is a "tried and true" system. She mentioned it's the same system used by Anoka County and several other library systems throughout the state.
Misselt received her Maser's of Library Science from the University of Illinois and her undergraduate degree in music from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
Misselt said the library system has a great staff who have been very helpful, and the communities have been very welcoming.
"As director, I see myself as the leader of the library system," Misselt said. "I see leadership as enabling the staff and providing the services the communities need, as well as the information the communities need."
One of Misselt's goals as director is to make the information available in a variety of formats.
Misselt has nearly completed the redesign of the library system's Web site and has already added new features to the current site such as a link to the East Central Regional Libraries blog and photos.
She is hoping to make the Web site more user friendly and up-to-date.
"We're trying to provide as much information as we can through technology and the internet," Misselt said. "We're trying to provide the service to people remotely and provide as much information as we can 24-hours a day."
Misselt feels library users also benefit to coming to the branch libraries because they can benefit from staff expertise, who can help them find the information they are looking for.
"People can Google as much as they want, but they may not find what they're looking for," Misselt said. "We provide training to our library staff and keep them up-to-date on the skills they need to be informational guides."
About Misselt
Misselt has been married for 35 years, and has two sons who are both in law enforcement, with degrees in criminal justice.
When she's not working, she enjoys playing the piano and organ, reading, spending time with family and friends and listening to old rock n' roll.
She is also an avid sports fan, and especially enjoys cheering for the Green Bay Packers.
Since her husband was in the Air Force she has lived all over the world including Indiana, California, Berlin, Maine and South Dakota.
— More information about the library system can be found at ecrl.lib.mn.us.
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