Marianna DiGiacomo has dedicated her career to strengthening public library’s focus on literacy and community collaborations. Marianna joined Stark Library in 2007 and served as youth services librarian and literacy and events coordinator prior to her role as community services director. She directs Stark Library’s literacy initiatives, school and community partnerships, outreach services, technology training, and events. She is a graduate of Leadership Stark County’s Government Academy, American Library Association’s Leadership Institute and serves on many local committees dedicated to ensuring children are ready for school success.
Julia Shaheen is the Literacy Manager at Stark Library where she oversees staff with the Ready for School program. Through this program, her staff visit parents and caregivers to help prepare families for school from birth through age 8. She also oversees the literacy efforts of Stark Library by providing staff training, parent workshops, and professional development for educators. She has also provided Every Child Ready to Read training as well as the Reimagining School Readiness workshops to library staff throughout Ohio. She has worked as a teen programmer and provided storytime and other programming for the library in both in-person and virtual capacities. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Walsh University in Education as well as several certificates in reading and early literacy education. She has presented at numerous conferences and workshops.