Walters names new North Central Regional Libraries Director

WENATCHEE – The North Central Regional Library Board made if official on Friday, July 13, when they appointed NCRL acting director Barbara Walters as the next Executive Director of the library district. Walters has been part of the NCRL administration since 2007 and acting director since June 2017.

Following the 2017 resignation of former director Dan Howard, the NCRL Board launched a nationwide search for his replacement. Walters emerged among the top three finalists, the others being Candaleria Mendoza of San Antonio, Texas, and Laurel Prysiazny of Fresno, CA.

“During the selection process, Barbara impressed us with her professionalism, her knowledge of our unique NCRL communities, and her high personal standards and work ethic,” the board said in a media release.

A Wenatchee Valley native, Walters started as a library assistant with NCRL in 1989 and during her 30 years with the district worked her way up to management and administrative posts including director of library services and deputy director.

“I’m honored and humbled to have been chosen to lead our library district into the future,” said Walters. “The staff of NCRL are amazing.”
NCRL operates 30 libraries in Okanogan, Douglas, Chelan Grant, and Ferry counties, along with two Bookmobiles and outreach and mail-order services.