Katie Scharf saw and made change during the 20 years she led Lakeview Library as it became the heart of the Northside community. Katie recalled relying on NPC. “We made sure people got the answers they need — a form filed, an application completed, or a referral that sent them to the right agency.”  She came to love the Northside. And she changed it – by bringing people together and instilling that spirit of community in library users and staff.

Lakeview was just 4,000 square feet when she arrived, cramped and dark, but heavily used. Today patrons enjoy upholstered chairs in front of a fireplace, since the library was remodeled and enlarged 15 years ago. The City asked the Northside to raise $110,000 for the project; but the community raised twice that, showing its love of the library and an appreciation of Katie and her Lakeview staff.

“People say this library is welcoming, and they couldn’t say anything that would please me more,” Katie said. And a main reason for that welcoming feeling is Katie Scharf, who set the tone with a big smile when people walked in the door – and went the extra mile to help them out.