News and Projects
PPL Closed for Memorial Weekend
The Pittsburg Public Library will be closed Saturday, May 25th through Monday, May 27th for Memorial Weekend. Regular hours will resume at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 28th.
Meet Bev Clarkson, new Pittsburg Public Library Director
Thursday, May 2nd from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
The PPL Board of Trustees would like to welcome Bev Clarkson as the new director of the Pittsburg Public Library. Clarkson has worked at the Pittsburg Public Library for the past twelve years. She began her official duties as director on May 1st, 2013.
Pat Clement, who has served as the PPL director for the past fifteen years, announced her retirement last fall and continued to work through April 2013.
A search committee comprised of individuals from the Board of Trustees, PPL Foundation, and Friends of the Library conducted a nation-wide search. After interviewing the top candidates, the search committee chose Clarkson to serve as the next library director.
In 2000, Clarkson started her career at the library working in the adult services department. Since then, Clarkson has worked in every department in the library, including youth services. She was instrumental in establishing the young adult services department at the library, facilitating the renovation of unused space to create a young adult library in 2004. Clarkson developed the collection, which includes books, magazines, movies, music, games, and graphic novels specifically for teens.
Clarkson founded the Young Adult Advisory Council (YAAC), a group of teens in sixth through twelfth grades who meet regularly to plan programs, purchase materials, and make suggestions for their age group.
Clarkson has implemented over 1000 programs at the library. From puppet show for preschoolers, to programs for kids ages 7-11, to hundreds of teen programs and even many adult programs, she has worked with every age group in our community. She is also responsible for planning and managing the library’s popular summer reading program.
An avid lover of books, Clarkson likes nothing better than to talk with kids, teens, and adults about their favorite books.
While continuing to work full-time, Clarkson earned a Master’s degree in Library Science from Emporia State University. She has served as the Pittsburg Public Library Assistant Director since 2008.
Clarkson is currently a member of the Kansas Library Association and the American Library Association. She received her undergraduate degree in History from Pittsburg State University.
Clarkson and her husband Jamie are both lifelong Southeast Kansas residents. Together they have four children, one cat, two dogs, and one granddog.
An open house will be held on Thursday, May 2nd from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the library’s meeting room. Friends and patrons are invited to stop by and visit with Bev and other library staff members. The event is open to the public and refreshments will be served.
New Author Alerts Service
Pittsburg Public Library is pleased to announce a new service for our patrons called Author Alerts.
Author Alerts sends you an email or text message alert when the library orders a new book by any of your favorite authors. Please click here to get signed up. Enjoy!
Pittsburg Public Library is pleased to announce that we now offer the Mango Languages online language-learning system to our patrons, through the State Library of Kansas.
Learning a new language with Mango Languages is free for all library patrons.
Mango is available in two versions. Mango Complete, a 100-lesson course that is designed to provide a deep understanding of a language and its culture.
Mango Basic is a beginner course that teaches everyday greetings, goodbyes, and helpful phrases in a short period of time.
Mango Languages offer more than 40 foreign language courses and 16 English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.
Click the link to give it a try. New users will need to create a profile with an email address and password. Mango will track your progress and you learn a new language.
Questions? Please visit the PPL Computer Lab or give us a call at 620-230-5559.