A familiar face will be assuming the position of Director at the Kalona Public Library later this week. Following the resignation of outgoing Director Trevor Sherping effective in March, Olivia Kahler will step in to take his place.

Kahler’s time with the Kalona Public Library began nearly 20 years ago when she worked as a part-time clerk. After resigning in 2007 to go to college, her mother took over the clerk position and held it for the next 10 years. Kahler would eventually get that job back in 2017 and then began climbing the ladder. Hired as Youth Services Librarian in 2018, she was promoted to Director of Youth Services just two years later. As Sherping prepares to step away from the library to become a stay-at-home parent, Kahler was approved for the position at a Kalona City Council meeting earlier this month.

For budgeting reasons, Kahler will perform the typical Director duties, while still holding her Director of Youth Services role. Despite the added responsibilities, Kahler tells KCII that she is ready for the challenge. “I’m excited to still be here. As long as I’ve been here, it’s been a happy place for me. I love the community that we’ve created here and the people that come in on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.”

Olivia Kahler officially begins as Director of the Kalona Public Library on March 1.