MUSCATINE, Iowa–Musser Public Library (MPL) has named Molly Garrett as its new assistant director. She started on Oct. 3. Garrett will be familiar to those who have watched “Libraries Alive!” on MPL’s TV station.
“I’m looking forward to this next step, the next chapter,” she said, adding that she wants to bring innovative ideas to the library, including more programming for adults and teens.
MPL Director Robert Fiedler said he is happy to have Garrett on the library staff.
“We are delighted to welcome Molly aboard and look forward to working with her in creating new, dynamic programming,” he said. “Molly will be a great addition to the Musser team and brings a wealth of experience that will complement the library’s mission and goals.”
Garrett’s involvement in libraries began early. At age 16, she worked as a page at the Wilton Public Library where she also became involved in the teen board.
She earned her associate’s degree from Muscatine Community College before going to the University of Iowa to earn both her bachelor’s degree in English and her master’s degree in library science. While completing her master’s she worked in the university’s libraries, focused on government documents.
From 2013 to 2021, she worked at the Cedar Rapids Public Library as a programming librarian. Some of her “passion projects” there included the creation of the annual Renaissance Fair, the Be Heard program, which took books to children in juvenile detention, and the diversity audit.
Garrett served as library director in her hometown of Wilton for a year before coming to Musser Public Library. At the Wilton Public Library, she created a maker space and held the Wines & Spines fundraiser. While the director in Wilton, Garrett reached out to Musser to collaborate and to learn more about MPL’s inner workings and partnerships. As a result, she was drawn into the creation of the MPL-TV/MPW Cable Channel 5 show, “Libraries Alive!” which she also co-hosted by remote connection at the Wilton Public Library. Garrett is working with MPL-TV Director Chad Yocom to restart the show soon.
“In thinking about what comes next, I’m excited, because there are so many people and organizations to partner with in Muscatine,” she said.
Garrett lives in Wilton. She and her husband, Brad, like to go ghost hunting. They tend goats and chickens and also have pet cats.
