Please see the Press Release about the change in PDE Leadership here: 11.22.24 PDE Leadership Release | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and read the message from Deputy Secretary and State Librarian Susan Banks below:

Susan Banks, Deputy Secretary and State Librarian

Greetings, Colleagues –

In the spirit of the holiday, I extend thanks to every one of you for the important and hard work you do for Pennsylvanians in every community of our Commonwealth.  Our libraries are essential to the health and happiness of people of every age and stage of life.

I would also like to thank Dr. Khalid Mumin for his attention and energetic support of libraries during his time with the Department of Education and wish him the best in his next opportunity to do good work.  During his tenure, his engagement with the State Library and with libraries across the Commonwealth reinforced the impact a Secretary of Education can have – on the attitudes toward and support for the Office of Commonwealth Libraries and the support for public libraries and libraries of all kinds.  We can hope that the next Secretary to be appointed will have a similar open spirit and accessibility to our field.

This fall has been uniquely challenging for many of us in numerous ways.  In response – and in spite of those challenges – we will look forward to sharing messages of the impact and importance of libraries to the success and mental well-being of all Pennsylvanians.  Let us lean on each other for strength and courage in the days ahead.  Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.

Susan Banks

Susan Banks, MLIS | Deputy Secretary & State Librarian
Office of Commonwealth Libraries | Pennsylvania Department of Education
607 South Drive | Harrisburg, PA 17120

This communication is issued on the Deputy Secretary’s behalf by Carrie Cleary, Executive Assistant (ccleary@pa.gov; 717-783-5725).