Matt Dengler, aka “Matt in the Hat” grew up in the Rock Rapids area. “I used to be a country kid,” is one of the ways he describes himself. “I spent a lot of time in Doon. I haunted a lot of libraries when I was a little guy.” He and his sister spent hours at the library.
Dengler is a graduate of Western Christian in Hull. He attended elementary school at Central Lyon. After high school he took some course work at Northwestern and at Dordt. “I like people,” he said, tying his social enthusiasm to his lackadaisical effort toward studies. Professionally, he was heading toward youth ministries. Dengler has worked with 3 churches in youth ministries since high school. Along with that, since youth ministries is not a well paying job, he has served in a variety of people centered jobs to help make ends meet. Dengler emphasized that all of the jobs he’s had he can work with people. He does a lot of lay preaching. He is licensed to extort through Christian Reformed Church. A passion of Dengler is to bring people together.
Since arriving in Paullina, Dengler took a job as a bus driver for South O’Brien where he has become a favorite of bus riding students. He also took a position of children’s librarian in 2021. His children’s programs have filled the building with as many as 80 kids coming for the programs made available for students, including Summer Reading programs, after school programs, special presentations, science programs and more. In looking at his life right now and thinking about the bus driver role he says, “I love it. It’s awesome! I don’t love the roads so much.” He adds that the driving position helps with his library role. “I get a lot of access to kids. I’m not a stranger,” he said.
Dengler was appointed to the position of director in November. He explains the he applied what he knew and the challenge is that he has big shoes to fill, a nod to his predecessor, Dorothy Harper. He notes that he was intimidated to take the position but “excited to try.”
In describing his excitement, Dengler returns to his greatest pleasure, bringing people together. “I am excited now that I get to do the programming. I can bring people together around stories, around interests. [There are] ideas to develop. He specifically pointed out the art classes by Sheila Billick. He notes there are so many talents in the community and refers back to bringing people together – sharing good stories, book clubs, talk, share – the library is at the center. We are here to encourage and help people along those lines.
Paullina Library, under Dengler’s deft hand is working on building a team. He points out Kris Wilbur and the new Assistant Director along with long time staff members Marla Erick and Janet Miller and Jodi Johannsen for her custodial work. “It’s fun to sit as a team and collaborate,” he said of his teamwork building efforts. He noted that a lot of that discussion happens after a program.
One thing Dengler, and all library directors are very aware of; libraries are no longer just books. A library is about access to great stories. Dengler spoke about the heritage of Paullina and the great story of the Paullina Library. He outlined its history – no building to a shared building to an independent building. “I am excited to see what’s next.” He recounted the story of how the Paullina Library, as it is today, came to be. He shows his excitement about that history and said, “This is a shared place; a place where we come together. I hope we can keep doing that.”
His first order of business as a new director is to watch costs. The financial aspect is the biggest part of his learning right now. “I’m being careful.” I’m working to collaborate with other libraries, considering programs we can share. He spoke about neighboring Leann and Nancy (Sutherland) as fellow collaborators.
The next big thing at the Paullina Library is the end of April. That is National Library Week. He expects to have lots of programs to offer. Summer reading is coming with weather as a theme. He is planning adult programs too, recognizing the 30th anniversary of the ’93 flood.
Right now the Paullina Library is open Mondays and Thursdays 2-6pm; Tuesdays and Wednesdays 10-6pm; Fridays 1-5pm and Saturdays 9:00am to noon.