Memoriam to Patricia L. Owens

Personal Information:  Self described 'coal miner's daughter' from Morris Run, Pennsylvania, population 500, married Thomas S. Owens, living in Canton, Pennsylvania and have one married daughter, Lisa.

Professional Experience:
State Librarian for Connecticut 1998
Patricia L. Owens, Consulting -Timbercrest- (long-range planning, recruitment, trustee training)

Education:  Executive Management Program for State of Connecticut with multiple continuing education courses

Service to Community: 
Member Executive Committee,
PCBL Board Chairperson
PCBL Annual Friends Institute for the past four years
Active ALTA and PaLA West Branch Chapter
Member Green Tree Library
Canton Friends
Board Chair Bradford County Library and Friends member
Founding member of Friends of Connecticut Library

Goals and Aspirations:  Desires to see every Friends Group join PCBL and to advance our success in fostering advocacy for libraries from every community

Just for Fun:  Motor Home Trips, antiquing, buying more hats, living at Timbercrest

From Fall 2005 Getting to Know You, PCBL Connection

For specific details about the memorial service held for Pat, see
http://www.sungazette.com/page/content.detail/id/521068.html?nav=5012 .

A Word from RPA, Inc.

RPA Inc. is saddened to announce the passing of our Senior Library Consultant, Patricia Owens, on January 9, 2009.

A dynamic, energetic, and creative presence, Pat was known throughout Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut for her broad range of skills and expertise, gained over decades of service to school, public, and special libraries.

Prior to joining RPA Inc., Pat, a graduate of Mansfield University, received her Masters degree in library science from Syracuse University. She was Director of Library Development and Interim State Librarian at the Connecticut State Library. Her accomplishments included establishing the minimum standards for Connecticut Public Libraries, developing multiple, successful, statewide program initiatives, administering numerous state and federal awards including long-range planning grants, and administering a statewide continuing education program for public library staff.

Becoming a private consultant after her “retirement” from the State system, Pat served a range of clients that included small and medium-sized public libraries and library systems, the American Library Trustee Association, the State of New Mexico, and multi-state consortia.

In the words of J. A. Langford, “The only true equalizers in the world are books; the only treasure-house open to all comers is a library; the only wealth which will not decay is knowledge; the only jewel which you can carry beyond the grave is wisdom.”

We will miss Pat’s wisdom, her humor, her energy, and her unflagging dedication to her clients.

In sadness,
Mary Sieminski
Senior Consultant
RPA, Inc.