Beatrice Saba, a career librarian, has been hired as the new director of the Bryan College Station Public Library System.
Saba was selected by a panel of community representatives from Bryan and College Station and was chosen to be the next leader of the BCSPLS due to her wealth of experience managing a large public library system in Georgia. She replaces Larry Koeninger, who served as the library system’s director for 10 years.
“There have only been two other individuals in this position over the last 40 years, including Clara B. Mounce and Larry Koeninger, and we are confident Ms. Saba will carry on the legacy of leadership,” says city of Bryan Deputy City Manager Joey Dunn.
The director position is critical to guide the BCSPLS into the future as a vital resource to the community. Saba’s responsibilities include carrying forward objectives in the recently adopted BCSPLS Strategic Plan while bringing her unique perspective and vision to the library system.
Saba comes to the BCSPLS from the Live Oak Public Libraries in Savannah, Georgia, where she most recently served as the director of Library Services. While at Live Oak, Saba served in numerous capacities and worked with community leaders, organizations, and agencies to increase the use of libraries.
“Community outreach is instrumental and keeping libraries relevant and in the forefront of the community is important,” Saba says. She hopes to bring the practice of outreach to the BCSPLS and the Bryan College Station community.
A native of Ghana, West Africa, Saba spent her adolescent years in New York City. She brings more than 20 years of public library experience. Saba has a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and international business from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, and a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh.
Saba has seen first-hand the importance of books and public libraries and how instilling books in the lives of children is important in them becoming lifelong readers. She believes access for all is the key to success in bridging the gap to learning. “Through access, the possibilities are endless,” she says.
Saba will begin her duties as the BCSPLS director on March 2 and will be based in the Clara B. Mounce Public Library building in downtown Bryan.
