Library director honored by state association

&emsp;&emsp;Avalon Public Library's director, Heather Weleski, was one of three librarian statewide that was honored with a Certificate of Merit from the Pennsylvania Library Association (PaLA).&emsp;&emsp;The PaLA honors the service of their members, as well as those community volunteers, who go above and beyond the call of duty to support the work of libraries throughout the commonwealth. Certificates of Merit are awarded to individuals making outstanding contributions during the last five years in Pennsylvania. &emsp;&emsp;Heather Weleski has been actively involved in the Association since becoming a member in 2015. She started off her involvement by presenting at and attending conferences in 2015, 2016, and 2018. Heather served on the Best Practices Award Committee from 2017-2020 and has served on the Scholarship Committee since 2017, including chairing the committee in 2023. She is a 2019 graduate of the Leadership Academy by PALS and was invited to serve as a mentor at the Directors' Institute in 2023. A member of both the Southwest Chapter and the Public Library Division, Heather served as division chair in 2022 and chapter chair in 2024. Additionally, she has written articles for the Bulletin and continues to proofread and review the Bulletin in volunteer service to the Association. &emsp;&emsp;"In all of her professional service roles, Heather is known to be supportive and encouraging and sharing her good nature to welcome others," according to the PaLA.&emsp;&emsp;Heather began her public library career in 2014 as the Children and Youth Services Coordinator at the Community Library of Castle Shannon. While working full time, she pursued her master's degree in library science. In 2019, Heather was appointed the director of the Avalon Public Library and immediately began expanding programming, developing an inclusive environment for all those who visit, and took the library outside the walls and into schools and community spaces. &emsp;&emsp;Under her guidance, the Avalon Public Library entered the PA Forward Star Library program and as of 2024, the library has received a silver star in all but one of the essential literacies. &emsp;&emsp; &emsp;&emsp;