04/15/2026
Today: 4:30-6:30--WPL Volunteer Recognition and Recruitment event. Drop in and check out volunteer opportunities, AND meet our new director.
Meet our new Library Director!
Hello, Waterloo community! My name is Robbin Degeratu, and I’m honored to serve as the new Director of the Waterloo Public Library.
I come to Waterloo from central Pennsylvania, where I held professional positions at the Lycoming County Library System, the James V. Brown Library, and Centre County Library & Historical Museum. My career has taken me to many corners of library service: frontline customer support, fundraising, program development, organizational leadership, community engagement, and more. Each role I have held has shaped how I understand the work libraries do and their tremendous impact.
My path to librarianship was inspired by the people around me; I saw time and again how libraries positively transformed the lives of my friends, family, and fellow community members. As a professional, I see that impact multiplied tenfold. Whether they’re supporting children and new parents, older adults, teens, job seekers, new Americans, veterans, or others who walk through the door, libraries remain one of the few places where everyone is welcome and everyone can find something they need. That sense of possibility continues to motivate me.
When I visited the Waterloo Public Library for the first time, I noted that same sense of purpose reflected in the staff’s engagement and dedication. It was immediately clear that this organization has a legacy of quality service, and that it is supported by a community that truly values its library. That impression stayed with me and is one of the reasons I’m eager to work alongside the staff, the Board, and our partners as we build on and expand our impact through collaboration and strategic innovation. This type of teamwork is my “happy place”, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together.
Outside of work, I’m an enthusiastic home cook and baker who tries to replicate the recipes I find in the library’s cookbooks (I like to put them in a two-gallon Ziploc bag to avoid spills!). I read widely, from narrative nonfiction and legal thrillers to romance and science fiction, and I prefer audiobooks to print. My husband and I love to travel both in the United States and abroad. While we’ll certainly continue to travel further afield, we’re excited to explore Waterloo and discover what makes this region special.
Thank you for the warm welcome to your city. I look forward to serving this community in the coming years, and embracing the people who make it special.
