Winfield Public
Library Names New Director
The Winfield Public Library Board
of Trustees is pleased to announce the promotion of Patty Wagner to the Library
Director position beginning April 1. Wagner has been employed by the library
since 2019 as the Adult Services Librarian. "Patty brings a tremendous
amount of experience and passion to the role of director. We are delighted to
have her lead the library into the future as the library continues to grow
and serve the community," said WPL Board President Julie Wilke. Wagner looks
forward to leading the library reopening to foot traffic in the upcoming
months, as well as implementing new initiatives.
Wagner moved to Winfield two years ago with her husband, Pat, who works at Southwestern College. “Driving through the Flint Hills and seeing the beauty of the fields on our way into town excited us,” says Wagner. “One of the things we fell in love with when we visited Winfield two and a half years ago was the library. We could tell how much of a community hub it was just by walking in. As we drove through the town during our visit, the parks and the businesses impressed us - and then when we picked up some hot chocolate and drove through the Christmas Lights at Island Park, we knew we had found our new home.”
Before coming to Winfield, Wagner worked in the museum field for over 25 years, with a focus on leadership, community outreach, partnerships, and programming. She has lead teams in efforts such as the creation of partnerships with area businesses and organizations, grant writing, major exhibit curation, implementation of Helen Bader SPARK! programs for people with early- to mid-stage Alzheimer’s, and large research projects. “My entire career has been about serving people,” says Wagner. “I’m honored and eager to continue to serve the people of Winfield.”
As an obvious book lover, Wagner’s go-to is a good mystery – “I love them, but the ending is key to a good mystery,” Wagner says. “Books with a magical element to them really speak to me; they are a true escape. However, I’ve been reading a lot of non-fiction lately; my 23-year-old son is a big non-fiction fan and his recommendations are always interesting.”
Winfield Public Library will be making announcements about its reopening to foot traffic soon. Currently, WPL’s services are contactless, virtual, and offered curbside including copies, faxes, and printing, as well as curbside pick-up for books, book bundles, DVDs, Grab and Go Crafts, youth activity kits, and more. WPL also offers wifi, accessible in our north parking lot or back patio. For more information on copies, prints, and faxes, or how to get your materials curbside or other services, call 620-221-4470 or visit wpl.org. Talk to a Librarian Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10am to 5pm; Tuesday and Thursday from 10am to 7pm; and Saturday from 10am to 2pm.
