Scott Library welcomes Gina Leone as director
While Gina Leone may be just starting her job as director of the Scott Township Public Library, she is no stranger to the library’s patrons.
A resident of Collier Township, Leone stepped into her new position on Jan. 13, filling the vacancy left when Janet Forton, Scott’s Library Director since 2005, moved to Columbus, Ohio.
Leone has worked for the STPL in a full time capacity from 2003-2005, and part time while pursuing her master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Pittsburgh and also while she was working at the Baldwin Library.
Leone, who holds a bachelor of arts in communication and media studies from the Pennsylvania State University – Erie, started her career doing administrative work and eventually became a business center manager. Leone lost her job shortly after 9/11. While conducting a job search at Beechview Library, Leone’s childhood library, she found positions in the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh substitute pool, working at libraries in Hazelwood, Homewood, and eventually, Scott.
Leone left the STPL to pursue her master’s degree in library science, but continued to work in the field as a library assistant at the University of Pittsburgh-Katz Graduate School of Business library. Before long, she was back at Scott Township library on a part time basis, working occasional Saturdays. In 2008, Leone was hired at Baldwin Borough Public Library as the Youth Service librarian.
Leone said she loves working in a library because they provide free access to resources like books, movies, music and technology for intellectual growth and for fun. She credits her mom, Ann Leone, an avid reader, for passing on her love of the written word. Leone remembers her mom taking her and her brothers to the Beechview Library to participate in the summer reading program.
With more than 10 years experience with the STPL, Leone said, “I know we have a strong team and a community that values the public library. I am committed to serving the community and building upon what the staff has accomplished to date.”
“I am thrilled and honored to be the new director of Scott Township Public Library,” she commented.
Since Leone has been a children’s librarian for many years, she knows she will need to “switch gears” and learn all of the essential job functions of running a dynamic and community driven library.
“I look forward to working with staff and board to assess organizational priorities that ensure the best possible library services to the diverse community Scott Township Public Library serves,” said Leone.
Scott Township library board president Tony Ahart said, “We couldn’t be happier with the excellent candidate we chose.”
“Scott Township is a wonderful library,” said Leone. “We offer many wonderful programs for all ages. I’d love to hear from the community about other programs and resources we could provide to stimulate and engage the public.”