Weirton, WV, March 31, 2026: The Board of Directors of the Mary H. Weir Public Library announces the new Executive Director, Philip Neilson. He will follow the legacy of the long-time director Rik Rekowski, who recently retired after 42 years of service to the Library and the City of Weirton.
Phil is currently the Youth Services Librarian at the Octavia Fellin Public Library in Gallup, New Mexico where he leads the staff and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Children & Youth Library building in downtown Gallup. He has pioneered an array of innovative youth and teen programs including coordinating the New Mexico Battle of the Books for the northwest region of the state, establishing a teen advisory board, leading an adult discussion series on artificial intelligence and supporting the local Friends of the Library organization. Phil is especially proud of the MakerSpace program that he has taken from concept to reality, offering the community training in 3D printing, laser cutting and other technology. A graduate of the University of Alberta’s Master of Library and Information Studies program, Phil also holds a Master’s degree in teaching and a Bachelor of Arts. Prior to his career in librarianship, Phil held several teaching positions in middle school English and communications.
Phil will assume his new position in early summer, when he and his family will make the move from New Mexico to the Northern Panhandle. Coming from the high desert, they are especially looking forward to exploring the region's rivers, trails, and green spaces — including hiking in Tomlinson Run Park and biking the Panhandle Trail. Phil is an avid disc golfer and has his eye on the nearby courses, while he and his wife Erin, both musicians, are eager to discover the area's rich cultural life. The whole family is excited to cheer on the Pirates, take in local museums, and of course spend plenty of time at the Mary H. Weir Public Library.
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