Host Maiken Scott (right) and speaker Richard Ashby (left) in discussion at the November 2026 event.
By: Maiken Scott
For hundreds of years, The Library of Alexandria was a beacon of wisdom and light. Scholars from all over the world came here to peruse thousands of texts, to learn, to argue, to research, to find knowledge. And though stories would later have it that this marvel was destroyed by invading armies, plundering hordes, and in massive catastrophic fires - the real cause for its destruction was more mundane. Yes, there were fires, but it gradually met its demise over centuries of decline and neglect, driven by political and financial concerns.
More than two thousand years later - we might feel such sadness over all that was lost with that library, the scrolls, the ancient history, the philosophical works. And yet, before our very eyes, a similar slow demise is happening - to so many of our libraries, struggling to keep the books, shelves, and walls from falling apart.
What will it take to keep libraries relevant, as vibrant centers for reading, knowledge and community engagement?
Richard Ashby, President of the Pennsylvania Library Association and Executive Director of the Sharon Hill Public Library, delivered lots of ideas.
A few highlights from our conversation:
Libraries remain important. As the Pew Research Center has found, they are highly trusted as institutions and sources of information. But beyond books and research, libraries can and should be hubs for connection, for community gatherings, for career development, job training, and a place to find a helping hand when you need it.
Learning is about the journey of discovery. Google searches and AI deliver answers in split seconds, but books offer a path toward knowledge. It may be winding, but there is joy in finding information yourself, and serendipitous lessons that could be hiding on every page.
It takes passion and a lot of involvement to run them. Richard Ashby clearly lives and breathes his job, thinking every day about how he can make his library welcoming and vibrant. He organized a farmers’ market outside of the building, he plays UNO with the kids (and proudly cheats just to make it more fun), he schedules concerts, and book events for independent authors. He said that a visit to the library can change your life, or make you never want to come back; it all depends on how you’re made to feel when you come in. He gave an example: a young mom wearing pajamas, coming in with two crying kids in tow. She asked for a library card, and the employee behind the desk said she’d need two forms of ID. Richard saw the exchange and told the employee to give the woman a library card right away and two free books for the kids. It’s that kind of personal touch and involvement that turns a library into a community hub.
Have a succession plan. One of our audience questions was about what happens when Richard takes on another opportunity, or retires - given how much the vibe of his library clearly hinges on his leadership style. Richard is ready! He’s training up staff with a few years of buffer time until he wants to step down.
Moms know. As a teenager, Richard made fun of one of his friends for wanting to go to the library on a Friday night. His mother said “Richard, you will be a librarian one day.” Richard laughed some more. The rest, as they say, is history.
See you in December for our holiday gathering. I will deliver the next clue for our secret January gathering. A tiny hint: a beautiful library is involved.