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.
2024 Board Members
Tom Kosmala (Treasurer) – Borough of Bradford Woods Board Member
* Serving Since January 2017 – 2024 Treasurer, 2023 President, 2022 President, 2020 Vice President
* Current Committee(s): Building and Grounds Committee, Policy and Planning Committee
Credentials:
- Retired Director of Music, Pittsburgh Public Schools
- Past adjunct teacher at Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne Universities Schools of Music Education
- Member of Pennsylvania Music Educators Association
- Bachelor in Music Education, St. Vincent College
- Master in Music Education, Duquesne University
- Supervisor’s Certificate
- Council Member, Bradford Woods Council
- Past Board Member: Children’s Festival Chorus, Pittsburgh Concert Society
Contributions (In your own words): During the ’40s, I remember listening to the “Lone Ranger” and many other programs on the radio. I enjoyed envisioning how the Lone Ranger and Tonto looked and their demeanor. To my dismay, when the program was adapted for TV, my imagination was shattered because they didn’t look or act as I had imagined. I liked mine better! Later, I supplanted my radio entertainment with reading books and listening to music at the Library where I could dream and explore a whole new world of sound. It was through these books and music that I found a whole new genre of music: Jazz. Because of these and many other experiences, I became a music educator with a goal to expose my students to the world of learning, imagination, and creativity.
As a retired Music Teacher/Administrator, I feel that my background will bring another viewpoint to the Board and its goals.
Along with our school districts, the Library should be the center for lifelong learning.
Irene Caliendo (President) – Town of McCandless Board Member
* Serving Since January 2020 – 2024 President, 2023 Vice President, 2022 Vice President
* Current Committee(s): Personnel
Dana Getz (Vice President) – Town of McCandless Board Member
* Serving Since 2020 – 2024 Vice President, 2022 Secretary
* Current Committee(s):Building & Grounds Committee, Personnel Committee
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.
Karrie Lukin – Franklin Park Borough Board Member
* Serving Since January 2017 – 2020, 2018 Board Secretary
* Current Committee(s): Finance
Credentials:
- Admissions Manager, University of Pittsburgh
- Bachelor of Arts in English, Allegheny College
- Master of Information Science, University of Pittsburgh
Contributions (In your own words): Having recently earned my Master of Library and Information Science degree, I wanted to serve on the Library Board as a way to use the skills I learned to benefit Northland and our surrounding communities. I also truly believe the library is a wonderful resource. I want to share my passion with others while contributing to my community.
Sarah Poweska – Ross Township Board Member
* Serving Since 2004
Casey Sample – Ross Township Board Member
* Serving Since 2016 – 2024 Secretary, 2023 Secretary, 2021 President, 2020 President, 2018 Treasurer
* Current Committee(s): Personnel (Chair)
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 – Marshall Township Board Member
* Serving Since 2024
* Current Committee(s): Finance, Personnel
Credentials:
- Assistant 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.