Staff

Library Director:
Keitha Owen
keitha@osgov.com

I have worked in the Public Services part of Librarianship for many years. I have been lucky to experience almost all facets of public library work. I started as a “page” the person that shelves the books. Since I had a teaching credential, the library I worked at gave me an all-expense paid trip to the University of Washington’s School of Librarianship, where I obtained my Masters in Library Science degree. I have worked as a Children’s Librarian, Teen Librarian, Circulation Librarian, Reference Librarian, Assistant Branch Manager, Branch Manager (several libraries) and now as the Library Director for the City of Ocean Shores. One of my “fun” and different positions was as the branch manager for King County Library Systems Answerline, an on-call telephone/computer center that answered all types of questions for all of King County.

My vision for the Ocean Shores Public Library is to guide the library through the coming years by blending new technology with all the traditional high touch services.

Outside of the library, I am a Master Gardener and I love to cook, especially what I grow.

Assistant:
Michelle Dudley
mdudley@osgov.com

Michelle Dudley starting working summers at the Ocean Shores Library in 1992 while she was still in high school, she started full time in November of 1996. Michelle was born and raised in Grays Harbor County and her roots go back three generations in the area. Michelle’s favorite part of her job is reader’s advisory, her favorite genre of book is fiction and some of her favorite authors are Alice Hoffman, Adriana Trigiani and Sophie Kinsella. When Michelle is not at the library or reading, she enjoys traveling, walking on the beach and singing karaoke.

Youth Services:
Lori Crocker
lcrocker@osgov.com

Lori has always loved libraries. While other kids played house, Lori set up a library in the living room of her Minnesota home for all her friends (real and imaginary) to check out. She got her first official library job at the age of sixteen and has been employed by libraries ever since. After she figured out that she could have a career working with young people and books at the same time, she pursued a MLIS from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and started her first Children’s Librarian job at the Redwood Falls Public Library in southwestern Minnesota. After five years, she moved on to the Pacific Northwest, and is absolutely loving her time serving the families with children and teens in the Ocean Shores area!

Clerk:
Johanna Painter
jpainter@osgov.com

As a recent addition to the library as the PT Library Clerk, I am excited to help patrons find out about and use their library resources.  I received my Bachelor’s degree from Evergreen State College in Political Science – IR with a minor in Business and during my time there worked for the Periodical Department for The Evergreen State College Library.  Any hobby involving the outdoors as the venue is my preference, including but not limited to hiking, kayaking, beachcombing, and camping.