CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Amelia Root, pictured, is the new director of the Gutekunst Public Library in State Center.

STATE CENTER — Libraries offer more than just books. They’re often the living room of a community, where people gather, work, play, learn and find fellowship. Recently, Amelia Root was named the new director of the Gutekunst Public Library in State Center. She succeeds Mara Edler, who served as the director from 2015 to earlier this year.

And while this hiring is the first time Root has worked in a library, she said she’s eager to get to know patrons and keep offering the resources and services they desire.

“I have no library experience at all. So it’s a brand new industry,” Root said. “The librarians here do most of the day to day operations and are amazing. They can run the whole thing. What I do is mostly the bigger picture — making sure that we’re ready for the board meetings, being the liaison to the Friends of the Library group, organizing programs, general upkeep of the buildings and grounds — managerial, behind the scenes things.”

She holds a bachelor’s degree in management and a master’s in business administration.

Originally from Emporia, Kan., she attended Kansas State University and then spent about 16 years in Wichita. Before moving to State Center two months ago, she and her family lived in Ottumwa for eight years, where she had a work from home job as a quality control analyst in banking. The flexible schedule allowed her time to raise her family and attend their various sporting events. She and her husband have four children, three granddaughters and two dogs.

“Our last child is at K-State now, so my husband and I are empty nesters,” she said. “We’re planning on staying here for a while.”

Root said she’s eager to assist the library with its growth.

“I don’t want to come in with a hammer and change things, but I want to continue to expand on what’s already been established, increase programs for everybody and increase our circulation by getting new books in that people want to read, and really make the library a hub for the community,” she said.

Root knits, crochets and does tatting, noting she wants to offer those types of classes at the library.

“I would like to grow some of those older traditions — teaching the younger kids so you can keep that stuff going because you don’t want those hobbies to die,” she said.

In her free time, Root is an avid reader and gardener. She looks forward to jumping into her new role at Gutekunst.

“It’s different not having the experience, but I had somebody tell me that maybe it’s good to have someone who doesn’t have a lot of library experience bring in a new perspective — some new thoughts — bring in somebody from the outside and see what we can do to improve and make things even better,” she said.

September is Library Card Month. Gutekunst harbors more than 15,000 physical items and has a collection surpassing 100,000 audio and ebooks available free to download. A library card also gives you access to online services for homework help and language translation.

Gutekunst has programming almost daily for babies to senior citizens.

The Friends of Gutekunst will host a garage sale from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday during the Watson’s Fall Festival. All sales are free will donations.

A presentation called “Spice of Life” presented by Mamta Israni with CultureAll is slated for September 30, starting at 6:30 p.m. The variety of ways in which spices and herbs are used in India will be discussed.

Root may be reached at aroot.lib@gmail.com. To contact any librarians to request a book, renew materials or ask a question, use the new email address: gutekunsthelpdesk@gmail.com.