Need help with a renewal, account issue, or book request? Just contact staff@wbpl.org and one of us will be able to help you.
Becky Knoche
Library Director
Becky has been at WBPL since 2008. She has her Public Library Management certification from the State Library of Iowa, along with a Business Computing certification from Kirkwood Community College. She is married to Kevin and has 3 kids, 2 sons-in-law, and 3 grandchildren. All of them are as loud as she is. Her favorite color is red and her favorite number is 6.
Becky is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the library. This means anything from writing policies or creating an annual budget to plunging toilets and shoveling snow. Primary tasks involve managing finances, community outreach, assisting other library staff in their tasks, building and technology upkeep, and implementing the goals of the library board with regular input from the community.
Becky also helps make sure WBPL is a great place for kids! She helps with storytimes and community events, and is an expert on kids’ books and Early Literacy.
Ask Becky about: mindfulness, chickens, future travel plans, McDonalds’ Grimace, her favorite Muppets, and the Steelers!
Jessie Schafer
Assistant Director/Collection Services Librarian
Jessie has worked at WBPL since 2012, but she’s worked in libraries since college! She worked in a back room at ICPL putting stickers on books, and she loved it so much that she went to library school to learn how to do everything else in a library. She earned her Masters Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Iowa in 2009.
Right now Jessie is responsible for keeping Becky in line, as well as managing all the collections in the library, making sure the catalog and library website are up-to-date, hosting the book club and other programs for adults, overseeing circulation, and more.
Ask Jessie about: superhero movies, pop-punk music, Funko Pops, Android phones, and nail art.
Kat Korsmo
Public Services Librarian
Kat started at WBPL in 2011, and went on to receive her Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Iowa in 2013.
If you come to the library, you’ll probably see Kat at the circulation desk. She can answer all your questions about your account, reserves, and more. After Becky and Jessie order books, Kat gets them ready to check out and puts them in the catalog. She also helps when you need help with the computers and printer, and does graphics and marketing for the library.
Ask Kat about: Sherlock Holmes, Asian cuisine, horror movies, Ebay, and true crime podcasts!
Alyssa Barnhart
Programming Librarian
Alyssa is our new Programming Librarian! She does storytimes every week, leads the Teen Advisory Group, hosts tons of other programs and special events, helps the Summer Library Program, and more!