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Happy Holidays from the West Fargo Public Library

We wish you and yours laughter, love, safety and warmth as you enjoy the final weeks of December. As we say goodbye to 2021 and charge forth into the new year, the West Fargo Library is also saying goodbye to Director Carissa Hansen who has decided to leave her post as director to pursue new career opportunities. Deputy Director of Public Services Maria Kramer will act as Interim Director until the position is filled.
Photo of Maria Kramer and Carissa Hansen
Maria Kramer (left), who will serve as Interim Director and Carissa Hansen (right), who served as Director since Dec. 2019, wish you a Happy Holidays!
carissa

Carissa Hansen
Library Director Dec. 2019 - Dec. 2021


“I feel immense gratitude to the people of West Fargo for the opportunity to lead the library. The last two years have been challenging, hopeful, and transformational all at the same time – for the library and community and me! I will miss you all and the library staff. Connecting with community members and this amazing team has been the best part of the job! Wow I am lucky!”

Carissa Hansen has served as Director of the West Fargo Public Library since Dec. 2019. During her tenure, Hansen oversaw the library through a multitude of challenges, changes and achievements. In 2020, amid worldwide closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hansen led the library team as we redesigned library services quickly to be able to serve the community from afar. Under Hansen's leadership in 2020, the West Fargo Public Library became fine-free, offered curbside service and virtual programs and made home deliveries in partnership with the Little Red Reading Bus. Hansen also led the charge as the Little Red Reading Bus became a service of WFPL. Hansen has been instrumental in continual collaboration with the West Fargo School District as we work to make library services more accessible for students and their families. In fall 2021, we released our 2022 - 2024 Strategic Plan, which was heavily informed by community input, a project also spearheaded by Hansen. Prior to serving as Director, Hansen worked as Technology & Technical Services Librarian, spearheading projects for the library like an updated website, technology tutoring and the change to a new library management system in 2019. Hansen has also worked for Hennepin County Library and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison for her Masters degree and the University of Minnesota for her undergrad. We will surely miss her leadership, kindness, passion and expertise! 
maria

Maria Kramer
Interim Library Director


“My thanks to Carissa, and to the City of West Fargo, for welcoming me onto the team. Seeing the library crew’s dedication to the people of West Fargo has been inspiring. I can’t wait to be a part of all the amazing things the West Fargo Public Library will do!”

Maria Kramer has served as Deputy Director of Public Services at the West Fargo Public Library since June 2021. This summer, Kramer could be found out and about with the Little Red Reading Bus team as we brought the library out into the community through the restructured Summer Boost program. Kramer led the charge in extending Little Red Reading Bus services into the fall and working to build connections with underrepresented communities in our area. This fall, Kramer has been instrumental to the implementation of the library's 2022 - 2024 Strategic Plan as well. Prior to joining the West Fargo team, Kramer worked for nearly 10 years at the Pueblo City-County Library District in Pueblo, CO. Kramer has a passion for supporting youth, having served as Youth Services Manager and Teen Librarian there. Kramer also worked as an educator before her roles in public libraries. She attended the University of Michigan for her Masters in Library and Information Services and the University of New Mexico for her undergrad. Kramer lives in West Fargo with her husband and three children, all of whom keep her on her toes and love joining the fun at library programs!

More Library News

  • Library closed Thursday, Friday and Saturday Dec. 23 - 25 for Christmas holiday.
  • Library closed Friday and Saturday, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 for New Year's holiday.
  • Holidays of the World Scavenger Hunt continues at the library through the month of December.
  • Library accepting donations for annual Mitten Tree through Jan. 3, 2022.
  • Friends of the WFPL Community Cookie Cookbooks filled with recipes submitted from library patrons, now available for purchase at the library service desk for $10.
  • Early Literacy Storytime and Baby Boost Storytime are paused for the holiday season. Storytimes resume the week of Jan. 10, 2022.
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800 Fourth Ave. E. West Fargo, ND 58078
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