Mechanicsburg board honors Simpson Library director, welcomes new executive director

The Mechanicsburg Area School District Board on Jan. 27 formally thanked Joseph T. Simpson Public Library executive director Sue Erdman for more than three decades of service and welcomed the library’s new executive director, Lizzie Cidle.

Mrs. Erdman, who the board later memorialized in a resolution as having served 30 years as executive director, spoke about her career and the library’s partnership with the district, calling the board’s financial support ‘‘unwavering and constant.’' She thanked the board for the district’s per‑student stipend that supports Simpson Library and urged school leaders to be ‘‘library advocates’’ who tell families about programs and services.

Lizzie Cidle, introduced as Simpson’s new executive director (started Nov. 10), outlined recent programming and outreach supported by the district. She said Simpson’s 2025 summer learning challenge attracted about 750 children, roughly 250 teens and about 400 adults, and cited participation of more than 1,400 people in the Go Cumberland partnership with WellSpan. Cidle described a capital campaign that has funded a renovated learning and book‑sale center on Allen Street with roughly $2 million raised to date and said the library is working on a 2025–27 strategic plan.

Cidle also noted outreach with Mechanicsburg schools: school librarians have encouraged students to obtain public library cards, and the library has verified at least 67 card signups tied to that effort while estimating the real number is higher.

The board read a formal resolution of appreciation to Erdman, applauded, and invited ongoing collaboration between the district and Simpson Library. The board said it will share Simpson’s annual report and strategic plan with members when available.

The recognition occurred at the start of the board’s Jan. 27 working session; there was no formal board action attached to the presentations.