Korenuk serves as new Cornell library director

Denise Korenuk began working in the Cornell Public Library April 24, as she transitions into her new role as the library director. She says she is looking forward to getting to know people in the community and the school. Korenuk says the library is so much more than books and encourages everyone to take advantage of the free opportunities the library offers. Photo by Julia Wolf

By Julia Wolf

Denise Korenuk says she always believed in the power of books and that reading can change lives. That seems fitting, as she started her new position as the director of the Cornell Public Library, April 24, with a transition and training period built in with outgoing director Lori Oemig.

Korenuk lives in Gilman, and has been there the past 37 years. She and her husband were dairy farmers for over 25 years.

Korenuk says she loves Cornell, and, over the last 30 years, her family often visited to camp, bike and hike.

“I was very excited to get this position,” said Korenuk. She pursued schooling to be an elementary teacher at Mount Scenario College, but the college closed. Korenuk says she also volunteered at the Gilman library for a few years.

“Lo and behold, ended up being a director at the Gilman library for eight years,” said Korenuk.

She also worked with the Gilman after-school reading program. Korenuk says she wanted to be a reading specialist, but it just wasn’t in the cards.

“You have to be able to read to succeed in life,” said Korenuk. “So that was very, very important to me. And I’ve always believed in the power of books and the power of reading to change lives.”

Korenuk has her certification for library science from UW-Madison.

“You’re always learning something everyday, because you are doing continuing education,” said Korenuk.

When with the Gilman library, Korenuk says she worked to bridge the relationship with the school and the community together with the library, to promote literacy.

“I just believe that the libraries are the heart of the community,” said Korenuk.

She says the library is so much more than books now, too. The library also offers DVDs, programs, and use of computers and a printer.

“They can just come in and access those during our hours,” said Korenuk of the technology. “They can also access WiFi here, too.”

She says some of her goals, once she gets settled in the position, are to work at bringing more patrons into the library and planning more programming. She also says she is also excited that Cornell is joining the MORE library system.

Korenuk says she wants to get to know people in the community and the school.

“Everyone is welcome,” said Korenuk.