Pang Yang has stepped up as the new director of Ramsey County Library, promoted from her role as deputy director in 2021. Bringing over two decades of library service, Yang is tasked with steering the strategic course for the network of seven libraries and a workforce tallying over a hundred.

With formative years spent at the city of Saint Paul Library, Yang has forged a path marked by dedication, according to a recent release from Ramsey County. In the midst of the global pandemic, she leaped into action to maintain essential library services for a community grasping for normalcy, while, ensuring the health and safety of her staff.

Prior to her appointment as director, Yang filled the shoes of her predecessor temporarily, managing key roles and acting as a conduit for the Library Board and the Ramsey County Library Friends nonprofit. She shepherded the Maplewood Library through renovations and its triumphant reopening, detailed in a statement from the organization.

Yang is no stranger to the county's vision on equity; she was pivotal in moving the needle on policies to eliminate late fees for adults. "We are thrilled that Pang Yang has accepted the position of library director," Deputy County Manager Kari Collins relayed, lauding Yang's "talent, dedication to our mission and innovative leadership." Reflecting on her appointment, Yang expressed, in the statement obtained by Ramsey County, a readiness to amplify the library's community presence.

The Ramsey County Library system is a bustling nexus of activity, with over 2.4 million items such as books and movies being circulated annually, a busy online presence that garners 7.9 million visits, and a robust roster of programming that serves over 26,000 people a year. Yang's new chapter at the helm is set against this backdrop of ongoing engagement and outreach, affirming the libraries as cornerstones for knowledge and connection.