Northland Public Library is owned and operated by the Northland Public Library Authority (NPLA), a municipal authority chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The NPLA and the library are governed by a Board of Directors consisting of seven unpaid members, who are appointed to five-year terms by the elected officials of the five supporting municipalities. The board is the policy-making body of the institution.
Northland Public Library is unique because it is both a municipal authority and a non-profit organization with a Foundation.
2026 Board Members
Irene Caliendo – Town of McCandless Board Member
* Serving Since January 2020 – 2024 President, 2023 Vice President, 2022 Vice President
* Current Committee(s): Governance (Chair), Personnel
Alan Cech – Franklin Park Borough Board Member
* Serving Since January 2026
* Current Committee(s): Finance Committee, Governance
Dana Getz (Secretary) – Town of McCandless Board Member 
* Serving Since 2020 – 2026 Secretary, 2025 President, 2024 Vice President, 2022 Secretary
* Current Committee(s): Building & Grounds (Chair)
Credentials:
- Neuropsychology Specialty Care LLC, Founding Partner
- KnitHope Community Project, Founder
- Freelance writer
- Master of Arts in English Composition and Rhetoric, Wright State University
- Bachelor of Arts in English; Secondary Education Certification, John Carroll University
Contributions (In your own words): I believe that in our changing digital age libraries are only growing in importance. They play a pivotal role as education and community centers for all. Now, more than ever, we need to think creatively to reach those who need the library most. I would like to utilize my unique background to continue to advance this trajectory and give back a little of what Northland has given me.
Noelle Ivankevich – Borough of Bradford Woods Board Member
* Serving Since January 2026
* Current Committee(s): Building and Grounds, Policy & Planning
Sarah Poweska (Vice President) – Ross Township Board Member
* Serving Since 2004 – 2026 Vice President, 2025 Secretary
* Current Committee(s): Personnel (Chair), Policy and Planning, ACLA Representative Alternate
Casey Sample (Treasurer) – Ross Township Board Member
* Serving Since 2016 – 2026 Treasurer, 2024 Secretary, 2023 Secretary, 2021 President, 2020 President, 2018 Treasurer
* Current Committee(s): Finance (Chair), Governance, ACLA Representative
Credentials:
- Senior Development Chemist – PPG Industrial Coatings
- Master of Science Colloids, Polymers, and Surfaces, Carnegie Mellon University
- Bachelor of Science, Chemistry, University of Pittsburgh
Contributions (In your own words): I have been a resident of Ross Township for almost 13 years and believe it is the best place in Pittsburgh to live and raise my child. I have a young daughter with whom I visit the Northland Library frequently because I am very passionate about encouraging reading at a young age. What I have enjoyed most about my time on the Board so far has been the opportunity to witness just how hard the library staff work every day to make the library a fun and educational place for our community. Being on the NPL Board enables me to be a part of that effort.
Michael A. Smith (President) – Marshall Township Board Member
* Serving Since 2024 – 2026 President, 2025 Vice President
* Current Committee(s): Finance, Governance
Credentials:
- Executive Director of The Fine Foundation
- Ph.D., English – Duquesne University
- M.A., English – Boston College
- B.A., English – Sacred Heart University
- Other Board Service: PA Humanities Modern Language Association (Committee on Honors and Awards), Franciscan Volunteer Ministry (finance committee), International Poetry Forum (advisory board)
Contributions (In your own words): I have a deep well of experience with nonprofit management and oversight, including stints as the chair of the PA Humanities development and audit committees and service on other committees ranging from finance to government relations and advocacy. I have worked for humanities- and arts-centered organizations including the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Currently, as the Assistant Director of The Fine Foundation, I work to enrich local arts and culture organizations from the other side of the philanthropic table. Before all of this, I was an educator and taught courses at Robert Morris University, Penn State Greater Allegheny, Duquesne University, Boston College, Marian Court College, and Pine Manor College, among others. The library is the community’s civic heart, where everyone is welcome to learn, share, and avail themselves to the wonders of reading. I’m excited to use my experience with and passion for nonprofit humanities work to keep our library beating for our community.
