Rita Allen Named Library Director

After an intense interview process, the Board of Trustees of the Cannon County Public Library System has selected Rita Allen of Normandy as the new Library Director. Mrs. Allen has over 25 years of experience in public libraries and will quickly be able to take up where the outgoing director, Stephanie Fuson, left off.

Mrs. Allen impressed the library trustees with her understanding of all the facets of library administration and her enthusiastic vision for the library. “We feel that Mrs. Allen will fit into Cannon County beautifully,” said Angie Ott, Board Chair. “We are eager to introduce her to the community and see the library continue to prosper under her leadership.”

Mrs. Allen grew up in a tiny town (population 250) in Montana and looks forward to building friendships here. She worked her entire professional career, from 1974 through 2005, in the Flathead County Library in Kalispell, Montana, serving in a variety of roles including Children’s Librarian, Head of the Reference Department, Technical Processes/System Administrator, Assistant Director, Acting Director and Co-Director in a five-library system.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Montana State University and a Master of Librarianship from the University of Washington. She and her husband moved to Normandy in 2007 to be near family. She is interested in community theater, music, computers and needlework, and is especially interested in local history and genealogy.

The Board of Trustees will host a public reception for Mrs. Allen within the next few weeks.