STAFF

BEVERLY NOVAK

LIBRARY DIRECTOR

Beverly joined Crafton Public Library in May 2025. Currently pursuing her Master of Library and Information Science degree at the University of Missouri, Beverly has experience in research, archives, and public service. She previously worked as an archival assistant at Penn State Fayette’s Coal and Coke Heritage Center and as a part-time library clerk at Uniontown Public Library, where she also assisted with local historical, geographical, and genealogical research as a Pennsylvania Room volunteer. With this background, she aims to expand Crafton Public Library’s digital local history collection.

Beverly believes libraries are places of discovery, reflection, and refuge. Whether managing daily operations, planning events, or collaborating with patrons and community leaders, she’s excited to help Crafton Public Library thrive as a trusted, welcoming, inclusive community resource.

Outside of work, Beverly enjoys long walks, road trips, thrift shopping, crocheting, dining out with friends, and spending time with her two rescue cats: Herman (a girl, to Beverly’s surprise) and A Boy Named Sue.

tracey vogel

LIBRARY ASSISTANT

Tracey joined the library staff in 2012. She graduated from Carlow University with every intention to become a school librarian but ended up working here instead (and she couldn't be happier)! Although she has her hands in everything, adult programming is her main focus. The monthly "Dinner at the Library" is a favorite of hers. As far as reading goes, she's partial to short stories. Two of her favorite authors are H.H. Munro (The Complete Works of Saki) and Guy de Maupassant. When she's not working, she can be found "estate sale-ing" with her husband, Mike, visiting small town antique stores with her daughters, or playing her new favorite game, Pickleball!

LINDA SHEARISS

LIBRARY CLERK

After some nasty experiences many years ago that left her swearing she would never again patronize the Crafton Library, Linda has been employed here not once, but twice! Her son volunteered at the library and was eventually hired for a summer job. Once he went off to college, mom stepped into that job. She "retired" in September 2017 due to family care-taking responsibilities. Missing the interaction with fellow employees and patrons, she returned in December 2018. Beside her job, she enjoys travel (especially to the beach), crafts, theater and magic shows, and annoying her husband, children, and bird, Ashes.

joseph smith

LIBRARY CLERK

Joseph Vernon Smith joined the library staff on Saturday, July 9th of 2022. Since then, Joseph has wasted no time learning the basic operations of the Crafton Public Library. His hobbies are photography, trivia nights, walking, keeping track of how many days he has worked on his job, watching every single Marvel Movie under the sun, and being ever vigilant to the needs of humanity by being benevolent to those in need. He is very passionate about human rights and Autism Acceptance as he has lived with the experience of being on the Spectrum since age 3. He wishes everyone’s life to be filled with hope, love, compassion, inspiration, happiness, and benevolence! When he is not working at the library, Joseph works as a bagger for Crafton Giant Eagle store 646. It is a job that he has held since Monday, July 10th, 2006, and continues to hold this job to this very day!