Library Staff

 IMG_1963.JPG Director-Amelia

Amelia has been our director since September 2024. She is new to the area and excited to lead the library into the next 50 years.  She and her husband Adam have a blended family of four children, three granddaughters and two dogs.  

 

IMG_9010.jpg Assistant Director - Carol

 

Carol came to the library in 2006 and began serving as the assistant director in 2019. In addition to untangling the daily details of the library, she enjoys crafting, crocheting and a good mystery.  Her all-time favorite book?  Gone with the Wind.

 

IMG_9001.jpgLibrary Clerk-Donita

 

Donita came on board in 2019.  When she's not busy finding books for patrons or digitizing our heritage collection, she enjoys sewing, is learning watercolor painting, and loves reading psychological thrillers.

 IMG_8077.jpeg Library Clerk - Brian

 Brian has been with the library since 2025.  He is originally from Southeast Iowa and graduated from Iowa State University in 2012 with a degree in music.  He and his wife, Afton, and their son Rhys moved to State Center in 2016 and were drawn to the Gutekunst Public Library right away.  He has had a passion for reading his whole life and is happy to be a part of the team of excellent librarians.  When not at the library, he keeps busy assisting Afton with her business, My Dinosaur Dreams, homeschooling Rhys, taking care of their pats, playing the trombone in the Ames Municipal Band and singing in the Des Moines Choral Society. 

 

Library Clerk-Denise

 

Denise started working at Gutekunst Public Library at the beginning of March, 2026. She and her husband, Jon, moved to State Center in 2000. They have three children- Rylan, Grace, and Taylor. Denise's husband, Jon, owns and operates Mustaine’s Towing and Recovery. Denise also works at West Marshall CSD in the High School kitchen. She has watched many students graduate in the fifteen years she has worked at the school! She and Jon are now empty nesters, but the prefer to say they have an open nest now. She is so excited for the opportunity to work at our wonderful library and can’t wait to meet so many of you!
 

 

 

Custodian-Mike

 

 IMG_9039.jpg Queen of Clean - Dani

 

Dani joined the library family in 2018.  She likes to knit (in cold weather) and run (in warm weather).  She is very enthusiastic about the Harry Potter series, and she's Elvis's biggest fan.