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[DULUTH, MN] Duluth Public Library Services Manager Carla Powers announces that she will retire at the end of 2026 after 36 years in public service, nearly 17 of which were with the Duluth Public Library.

“On behalf of the City of Duluth, I want to congratulate Carla on her coming retirement and thank her for 17 years of service and leadership to not just the Duluth Public Library but our entire community,” said Mayor Roger Reinert. “Since joining us in 2009, she has seen the shift of libraries from books, research, and reading to now also include community gathering spaces and ensuring residents have access to needed resources, programs, and services. This is what makes modern libraries such a critical component of thriving communities."

City Administrator Karla Culhane said, “I am very happy for Carla. I have worked with her for years, and she is leaving some big shoes to fill. She has been instrumental in elevating the importance of our public library system in Duluth—advancing electronic resources, implementing new technologies for public checkout, and overseeing the removal of library fines for Duluth patrons. During the COVID pandemic, her mission-driven leadership enabled the rapid transition to no-contact services, ensuring the public continued to receive support at a time when many organizations were unable to do so.”

“I have truly enjoyed my work in public libraries, including the time I have spent here in Duluth,” said Powers. “It has been an honor to work with people who place such a high value on public library services. As I leave later this year, I know that library staff will continue to offer innovative services and creative programs to meet community needs now and into the future.”

Powers will complete her service to Duluth Public Library in December of this year. The City of Duluth will begin a search for her replacement in the coming months.

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