Diane Panfil stands behind the library desk as she takes on the roll of director for the Traer Public Library. Photo Provided

The heart of many rural Iowa towns is the local public library. For the city of Traer that is no exception.

At the Traer Public Library one can find books of course but so much more. The library offers a wide variety of options for a wide variety of interests and age groups.

Movies, puzzles, cookie cutters, magazines, graphic novels, large print materials, audio books, and online books are just some of the content available.

Traer Public Library also provides programming including Geri-Fit, a twice weekly workout group, three different book clubs, game days, children’s story time on Wednesday, card making classes, adult coloring and gardening groups.

A recent change up at the library brings a new but familiar face into the role of director.

Diane Panfil will step in to take over the reins from Roseanne Foster as she is set to retire.

Panfil grew up southwest of Traer on a farm. She is a North Tama graduate as well as an Iowa State alumni where she earned a degree in Agriculture Business.

Following college Panfil moved to the Chicago area where she worked in banking. It was there she met her husband Jon.

The two decided to relocate back to Diane’s hometown. They have two children, Ben and Lucy.

While her children were young, Panfil stayed home. When she returned to work she joined the library staff part time.

The library has always been a place with deep meaning to Panfil.

“Growing up I loved to come to the library. My mom was a big reader and I’m sure that’s where I got my love of books and love of reading,” Panfil said.

She enjoys reading mysteries and contemporary literature.

In May of 2008 Panfil went to work for Farmers Savings Bank and Trust but she remained active with the library serving as the treasurer on the library’s foundation.

The foundation was started in 2000 and one of their first big projects was an addition that was finished in 2004. Panfil handled all of the money coming in for the project.

When the position of director recently became open, it was an opportunity Panfil couldn’t pass up.

Panfil wants people to know that the Traer Public Library isn’t your stereotypical institution where shushing and silence are priorities above all else.

“We are very welcoming and a lot of fun,” she said. “We want people to come in and have fun, be happy and find things that excite and interest them.”

Panfil plans to continue with current programming and hopes to bring back speakers and presentations soon, which they haven’t been able to have for the past year due to COVID-19.