Ashlee Kiel

Hi! I'm Ashlee. I’m the Library Director at Highland Community Library in Johnstown, PA, where I oversee the day-to-day and big-picture work of running a public library while setting the strategic direction for how we serve our community.

At the core of it all is a simple goal: enriching civic life in Johnstown by expanding access to active, participatory programs and services that strengthen the public good. To me, that means treating the library as civic infrastructure—not just a place to borrow books, but a welcoming third space where people can build skills, meet their neighbors, and practice showing up for one another.

I focus on programming that invites participation (not just consumption): hands-on learning, community conversations, local partnerships, practical support for daily life, and creative opportunities that help people feel more capable and connected. The throughline is dignity and access—reducing barriers, making resources visible and usable, and designing services that reflect what real people actually need to thrive here.

Outside the library, I’m involved in community organizing and political work focused on supporting candidates with a real vision for the future of Western Pennsylvania—especially the communities that are too often overlooked.