With 21 years of experience in libraries, including over a decade in leadership roles, Hall has a proven track record in library management and staff development. She has served as Interim State Librarian since November 2024 and Library Program…
Mary Wegner was named State Librarian in 2001, and prior to that served as Assistant State Librarian for one year. Before joining the State Library of Iowa, she worked for more than 20 years as the director of the libraries at Iowa Methodist, Iowa…
Sharman Bridges Smith was born in Lambert, Mississippi. Before coming to Iowa, Smith was director of Library Services at the Mississippi Library Commission in Jackson. Other positions she held there included director of Library Operations and…
Shirley H. Hattendorf was born on Dec. 29, 1938 in Elgin, Illinois, the daughter of Edwin William Hattendorf and Nora Wiese. George received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Valparaiso University in Indiana, her Masters in Library Science from…
John Joseph Montag II was born in Omaha, Nebraska on Jan. 8, 1948, the son of John Joseph Montag and Ruth Helen Johnston. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in history and English from Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, Nebraska and his…
Claudya Burkett was born in Bavaria, Germany on Sept. 14, 1946 while her father was stationed there in the military. Her parents were Ralph Leon Burkett and Elfiede Katherine Hilpert. Claudya came to the United States in 1952 and married William…
Barry Lavon Porter was born in Cedar City, Utah on Oct. 3, 1942, the son of LaVon Porter and Alta Haycock. Barry received his Bachelor of Science degree from South Utah State College and his Masters in Library Science from Brigham Young University. …
J. Maurice Travillian served as Director of the Marshalltown Public Library from 1964 to 1970 when he became Assistant State Librarian at the State Library. Maurice initiated the first Iowa Governor’s Conference on Libraries and formulated a five…
Ernestine Grafton was born in Hubbard City, Texas on Jan. 17, 1913, the daughter of Louis D. Grafton and Connie Newton. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity University, Waxahachie, Texas in 1933, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Library…
Blanche Annette Smith was born in Monroe, Iowa, on Aug. 26, 1887, the daughter of Otis E. Smith and Annie Slusser. She attended schools in Des Moines, Shenandoah, and Indianola, Iowa, graduating from Simpson College in 1908. Blanche taught at the…
