Hosting events like the Summer Reading Program, Teen Hangouts and Conversation Hour, the Coralville Public Library provides a safe space for people of all ages to learn and connect. However, the work that goes into running a library often gets overlooked. Not only is the Coralville Public Library staff dedicated to its work, but its members also enjoy getting involved in the community beyond the library.
After careers in elementary education and the restaurant business, Karen Stierler began a part-time job at the Coralville Public Library to try something new. Over the years, this position evolved into a full-fledged passion for community service and working with kids — especially teens. Now, as the full-time Teen Services Librarian, Stierler has helped expand youth programs, particularly by founding the Coralville Public Library’s Teen Advisory Board.
“Teens need to have a voice in the library. It’s important that they tell us what they want,” Stierler said. “That’s how we’ve structured our Teen Advisory Board, where [teens] run everything. You choose what programs we do and suggest materials we buy. You know what your peers will enjoy doing, what they like to read and how we can get more teen users into the library. It’s so important for the teens to have a say in what we do.”
With more than a dozen TAB members, Stierler develops programs that encourage reading and teen participation in community events. To her, providing teens with service opportunities isn’t just about logging volunteer hours, but teaching them the value of supporting others.
“I really enjoy trying to get our teens involved in community events like our free community meals or volunteering at the food pantry,” Stierler said. “Just going up to the food pantry for two hours can make a huge difference to nonprofit organizations who don’t have the staff. It takes the whole community to do that. If teens see that when they’re young, they’re more likely to continue that through their adult years.”
Outside the library, Stierler stays busy volunteering, gardening, working out at the gym and traveling around the world. Canada, Mexico, Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos are just a few of the countries she has pedaled through.
“If I ever travel, I’m only going by bike,” Stierler said. “You learn so much more about the people and the culture. I did a bike trip from Canada to Mexico through the Great Divide Mountains. It was a 2,700-mile bike ride off-road most of the time, and you cross the divide 33 times. Bikepacking, touring — I love doing that.”
By biking through the wilderness, Stierler believes she can experience a more authentic representation of a country’s culture than by traveling to typical tourist destinations. One of her favorite aspects of bike touring is the challenge of facing the unexpected.
“What I like so much about these trips is that [they’re] not planned for you. It’s just like, ‘Hey, here’s a map,’ and sometimes the map wasn’t always right, and we got lost a lot, but that’s the charm of it,” Stierler said. “Those are the things you remember. You have to be open to adventure.”
Through learning about various religions and customs from her travels, Stierler has an increased appreciation for the world’s cultures. With this broad understanding of different beliefs, she has been able to reflect on and compare American values to other cultures.
“The thing I learned most from traveling overseas is that the happiest people are the people who have nothing,” Stierler said. “You look at our culture and how everyone’s so into material things and buying happiness. [But] people in these other cultures [value] family, and they are really, truly happy.”
For Stierler, happiness lies in spending time with family, trying new things and helping the community through her work.
“The library, seriously, has been the best job. I love it here, and it’s funny because I turned 65 a couple years ago, so I could retire,” Stierler said. “But if you enjoy your work, why would you want to leave?”
While Stierler focuses on empowering teen voices, Youth Services Librarian Erika Binegar helps even younger patrons spark their love of reading. Previously a journalist working for The Gazette, Binegar later decided to pursue a degree in library sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison to combine her interests in books and working with kids.
“I love children’s literature a lot. Once I started working in a library, I enjoyed the interactions with kids. It was very nostalgic finding a lot of the books that I read as a child,” Binegar said.
Working in the children’s department, Binegar is in charge of running story times and programs for kids year-round. One of Binegar’s favorite things about children’s story time is witnessing the connections returning families form. A mom herself, Binegar has a special appreciation for the community that the children’s programs foster.
“My daughter was born right before the pandemic started, so we didn’t have that in-person connection with other kids and grown-ups, but I had a lot of people who were part of story time that reached out to me, and they were like, ‘We made friends with all these moms because of story time.’ They brought me in and helped me get through that very isolating period,” Binegar said. “The [library] is a free space [where] you are welcome, your kids are welcome and you don’t have to pay anything. You know that your friends are going to be happy to see you the next time you’re there.”
Beyond programming, Binegar is passionate about protecting public access to books. According to the American Library Association, 2,452 titles were challenged in 2024, with thousands continuing to be banned today, forcing some libraries to limit their catalogs.
“We shouldn’t be allowed to decide for other people what they can or can’t read. That’s definitely something that I feel passionate about, and I’m grateful that I get to funnel that into my work and protect people’s freedom to read,” Binegar said.
Along with fighting book bans, Binegar is dedicated to supporting small businesses through community-focused events like the Iowa City Arts Festival, a fair showcasing the talent of local artists, and Coralville’s Fifth Street Social, an end-of-summer block party featuring Iowa-based musicians and restaurants.
“It’s nice to feel like a part of the community. There’s so many wonderful free events in our community that we like to [go to]. Fifth Street Social is one that the library is usually there for, and it’s fun to see people that you might see at the library out in the community,” Binegar said.
Although it can be hard to find time between work and community involvement, Binegar’s main priority is spending time with her family.
“To me, my family is a big part of the meaning of life. I love them,” Binegar said. “Life is short, so [we have to] enjoy the time together as much as we can.”
Similar to Binegar, Youth Services Coordinator Sara Glenn came to the library with a passion for helping others. An avid reader from a young age, Glenn believes books are not only a way to learn about other perspectives, but to help readers through real-life challenges.
“Reading is a great way to escape. It’s a way to get out of yourself, put yourself in another character,” Glenn said. “You can look at a character and see how they’re handling a certain situation, and it can give you some ideas. In a way, it can be therapy.”
One of Glenn’s favorite books is “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” by Kate DiCamillo, a children’s novel following a stuffed rabbit given to a young girl. After falling overboard from a ship during a family trip, the rabbit, Edward, is passed from owner to owner, experiencing life through all different perspectives. Along with winning the Parents’ Choice Award, the novel highlights themes of self-discovery and the importance of caring for others.
“There was something very moving about that story. It just stuck with me for a long time,” Glenn said. “When you read or skim a lot of books, [you are] left with an impression. So if I remember a book, I know it was really good, because I can still hang on to details. I think that’s what good writers do; if they can set up that world so that you can picture it in your mind, I think that’s pretty impressive.”
Along with immersing herself in children’s fiction, Glenn enjoys reading children’s biographies about important figures around the world. She believes that, although meant for a younger audience, these biographies serve as quality learning material for people of all ages.
“I’ve read about people that I find fascinating, [like] women who did all of these things in skirts and layers [despite] the bias that they were facing and how people were always telling them that they couldn’t,” Glenn said. “I like to read about people who have faced challenges that we don’t always hear about. [They] are pretty inspiring.”
Glenn’s love of reading is what led her to choose a career as a librarian. Although she initially wanted to be a generalist, she fell in love with children’s literature while earning her master’s degree in library and information science at the University of Iowa. One factor that drew her to working with picture books is the specialized skill it takes to make them.
“There are lots of people who think they can write a good picture book. Picture books are not easy. There has to be that good balance between the words and the pictures — don’t reveal too much in the pictures, [but] provide enough for those kids who aren’t reading the words [so] they’re still able to pick up on the story. It’s a real skill,” Glenn said. “I wanted to be more immersed in that and be able to share that.”
Along with spreading her love for books, Glenn enjoys building relationships with the kids she meets at work, especially if they continue to come back to the library throughout their teen and adult years.
“When kids say ‘Sara,’ or ‘Miss Sara,’ it warms your heart a little. You know that they know you,” Glenn said. “It’s wonderful to get to know people and families. There are people who have left and still come back, or have written notes or [sent] cards. I don’t think that you get to do that in a lot of jobs. I’ve been lucky to meet a lot of really great people.”
Glenn believes that what makes the Coralville Public Library stand out is its access to ample — and oftentimes free — resources. From one-dollar printing to a community fridge stocked with food, the library ensures that people can get what they need without worrying about the cost. Additionally, by using a library card system, patrons may check out books and other materials for free.
“We want an educated society, and we want people to be curious and learn. How do we expect people to do that if not everyone has the funds?” Glenn said. “It takes a village, and [the library] is a way to have that village.”
Glenn, along with the other library staff members, hope to continue fostering a welcoming environment for all patrons, no matter their needs.
“I want people to know that I care a lot about them and what they need,” Glenn said. “I want this to be their place.”
Community Outreach Educator Emily Kriegl combines her love of teaching and advocacy by building community inside and outside the Coralville Public Library. After teaching science at Clear Creek Amana High School for three years, Kriegl applied for the Community Impact Grant and designed her own job position to spread her work in education across the broader community. According to her, getting approved for the grant and beginning to work at the library was some of the best news she’s ever received.
“I came to this position with a passion for helping people,” Kriegl said. “I love to teach, but I love the ability to get people access to things they need. Not everything has to be behind a paywall, and it feels like everything these days is. Getting people access to help, to resources, to community building felt like the perfect way to use my voice and skill set.”
Kriegl’s responsibilities range from connecting the public with educational opportunities to planning library programs available to the entire community. Additionally, she continues to use her teaching skills in free English classes held at the library. Growing up, Kriegl saw the impact that good teachers have on a student’s success. She vowed not only to teach her students the material effectively, but to help them develop a better understanding of how they can be successful individually.
“I love helping people learn — not just ‘Here’s the material,’ but ‘How can I help this be meaningful to you?’” Kriegl said. “I wanted to be available to students. I wanted to be a positive force in people’s lives. I wanted to be a safe person. I wanted to be someone [who], no matter what you have going on at home, you know that there’s at least one person who deeply, deeply cares about you.”
Through teaching English classes, Kriegl has developed a greater appreciation for those navigating life in a different country with a completely new language and culture.
“Every day is such a joy. Getting to do this is such an honor. Imagine the circumstances it takes to move to an entirely new country, and you don’t even [know] the language,” Kriegl said. “It’s one thing to travel to another country, but to go somewhere where you don’t know the language very well — that’s brave. These people are just the kindest, most hardworking, most warm people. We have a lot of fun getting to talk about different cultures [and] our different experiences around the world.”
As an English teacher at the library, Kriegl has met community members from countries all over the world, including Honduras, China and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She stresses how talking to people with differing experiences and cultures can build people’s empathy and compassion, bettering the community as a whole.
“We are so insulated about what’s happening around the world. Our news is [a] microcosm. It’s so much in a bubble. Then, when you break out of that bubble, you’re like, ‘My experience is such a small sliver of the experience of life,’” Kriegl said. “To be surrounded by so many entirely different people that didn’t grow up the same way you did … It really makes you feel like you’ve been experiencing the world with a flashlight, and then when you get to be around these other people, it’s like the joy of having the lights on.”
Along with learning about different perspectives, Kriegl loves trying new things. From canoeing and camping to gardening and baking, Kriegl’s interests range far and wide. She believes that her passion for learning led her to become a leader in fighting for equitable educational opportunities.
“I like to learn, and that’s where it ties into this job — I want to be able to learn for free. I don’t want to have to pay for a class online or pay to go [somewhere]. So I try to then take the fun and the joy of learning, and bring it here for other people, too,” Kriegl said.
In addition to picking up new skills and hobbies, Kriegl enjoys traveling to new places. She has been to six countries, ranging from Canada’s northern mountains to India’s bustling cities. Most recently, she took a group of her former Clear Creek Amana students to Belize, where they learned about the local environment, traditions, food and music through a variety of activities, including scuba diving, hiking and drum lessons.
“The more places you go, the more people you meet. [Traveling] helps you connect to more people on different levels — like, that’s 1,000 more stories that you can learn. That’s a ton more people that you can love and appreciate,” Kriegl described. “It’s all about expanding your worldview. How can I become a better, more aware, more actualized human being? How can I challenge myself? By putting myself in [other] situations.”
Even in high school, Kriegl found fulfillment in serving her community when her class traveled to Guatemala to help build a local hospital. The trip remains one of her favorites, not only because of all she learned about the culture and customs there, but because of the positive effect she left on the community.
“I liked the idea of not just going to a place to view it, but to hopefully have a beneficial impact on it. Not even going to a place specifically to offer service, [but] to offer love, whether that’s for a week or for a month, and nothing is expected in return,” Kriegl said. “It really helped guide me to see that what I want to do is serve my community and continue to lighten the load of other people, however I can in the world.”
