Mon library welcomes new director

A new director has taken over at Monongahela Area Library, and she hopes to carry on the work of the late director, Tiffany Fleet.
Amy Riegner was hired in September. The library had been without a director since Fleet’s unexpected death in February of a heart attack at age 37.
Terry Necciai, Monongahela Area Library board member, said that Fleet had been a vivacious force at the library and brought in many new programs. The duties of the director were given to employees after her death.
“They did a great job, but we needed someone at the helm of the ship,” he said.
He added that during the search, the board wanted a director that would work with the community organizations, and Riegner seemed to be the perfect fit.
Though Monongahela is Riegner’s first directorship, she has worked for the Carnegie Library system in McKeesport, North Versailles and Monroeville. Riegner said she plans to continue the work that Fleet started and get the community involved in the library.
One of her ideas is to hold seminars on various topics. The library offers a variety of educational seminars with guest speakers and Riegner would like to see it expanded.
Riegner said she envisions more events involving businesses, organizations and people in the community.
“I would like to have something every month. I would like to work with community members to hold seminars, maybe how to write a business plan, or focus one month on a specific career,” she said.
Riegner believescommunity organizations and citizens have a wealth of knowledge they could share, especially to young people in the community.
“It would be a great opportunity, all around,” she said.
Riegner said one of her other missions as director is to have more programs for teens. She added that Fleet had started moving in that direction, and she would like to continue.
“We have a teen book club,” she said. “I think is an area that the community members and businesses would have a lot to offer.”
Riegner said that the Monongahela Library Lovers are doing a great job fund-raising, but that the Monongahela Friends of the Library needs more members. She explained that the two groups are separate entities.
“The Library Lovers have really stepped up to the plate.” she said.
The Monongahela Library Lovers usually raise money for a specific need, and are now raising money for the replacement of the lights. The Friends of the Library volunteer and help to finance a variety of projects.