PHOTO PROVIDED State Rep. Paul Takac (D-Centre) presents a Pa. House Citation to Denise Sticha on Dec. 5, 2025, in recognition of her contributions and dedicated service to the Centre County Library and Historical Museum. “During her tenure as Executive Director, Denise worked tirelessly to help the library fulfill its mission, including major repair efforts after the museum was struck by lightning in 2021,” Takac said.

BELLEFONTE — Centre County’s Board of Commissioners recognized on Tuesday Denise Sticha, the retiring executive director of the Centre County Library and Historical Museum, for a 30-year career spanning the pre-computer era to the dawn of artificial intelligence.

Sticha became executive director of the county library system in April 2018 after more than 30 years serving in professional library positions around the state. Her retirement takes effect Friday, Dec. 19.

“I just really want to say how much of a pleasure it was for me to end my career here in Centre County,” Sticha said.

Beginning her career at the Murrysville Community Library in August 1981, she went on to serve in a range of roles at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Seton Hill University, the Westmoreland County Federated Library System and Berks County Public Libraries before finishing her career in Centre County.

“Back in the day there were absolutely no computers,” she said, recalling the introduction of the first public access computers in Pittsburgh’s public libraries when she worked there in the late 1980s and early 1990s. “To go from that, and even before that, when you didn’t have anything, to where your whole reference collection is now Wikipedia and Google as the place to start, and you don’t need to have that kind of print resources — that’s been a huge change for the good.”

As executive director, Sticha oversaw library and literacy services for 29 municipalities, including the main library and administrative offices in Bellefonte, branches in Centre Hall and Philipsburg and a world-class genealogical research library and local historical museum.

Prior to and during her more than seven years as executive director, she was recognized for distinguished service to a number of regional and statewide library and literacy advocacy groups.

On Dec. 5, State Rep. Paul Takac (D-Centre) honored her with a Pa. House Citation in recognition of her contributions and dedicated service.

“(She) is highly regarded by her peers and colleagues across Pennsylvania for her lifelong devotion to making outstanding literacy services available to everyone who walks through the library’s doors,” said Commissioner Amber Concepcion, reading from a proclamation prepared for the meeting. “Today we wish to recognize Denise’s outstanding contributions to the continuing improvement, public awareness, financial stability, day to day vibrancy and outstanding service of our Centre County library system.”

The commissioners said Sticha set the standard for competence and professionalism and lauded her many admirable qualities, including her long and wide-ranging experience, calm and thoughtful approach to problem-solving, honest and measured leadership and mentorship and open and considerate demeanor.

“On behalf of all the citizens of Centre County, we sincerely thank Denise for her outstanding service to the county, and we wish her good health and safe travels in the years to come,” said Concepcion.

Carl Inglesby, president of the Centre County Library & Historical Museum Board of Trustees, said they are grateful that Sticha plans to stay local in her retirement.

“The board, we have been so happy with Denise. She has brought us so far, and we are so hopeful that we can continue with that going forward with our new executive director,” said Inglesby.

Though her career is drawing to a close, Sticha expressed interest at the meeting in continuing to serve her community as a volunteer.

“I’m already trying to field offers,” she said.

The pair noted that the search for a new executive director is ongoing.

“We have had several rounds of interviews with two promising candidates,” said Sticha. “We are hopeful.”