Staff Contacts

Elsworth Carman

(319) 356-5241 | [email protected]

Elsworth Carman started as the Iowa City Public Library director in January 2019. After receiving his master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Information Studies, he began his career in teen services. From there he moved into teen and children's services management before shifting into administrative roles in library leadership, most recently as the director of the Marion Public Library.

Sam Helmick

Community & Access Services Coordinator
(319) 887-6007 | [email protected]

Sam Helmick has served as the Community & Access Services Coordinator since September 2020. Sam is responsible for the Help Desk, Bookmobile, as well as for PR and Marketing initiatives.

Preceding employment in Iowa City, Sam started their career at the Burlington Public Library in 2008 as the Youth Services Library Assistant, and in 2010 they became the Public Services Manager.

Sam received their Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Iowa Wesleyan University and their Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois. Sam is a published author on matters of Social Media Marketing and Human Resources. Sam has served on multiple committees for the American Library Association, as the Chapter Council and Intellectual Freedom chair for the Iowa Library Association, as chair of the Iowa Governor’s Commission of Libraries, and as a member of the third cohort of Library Freedom Project.

Sam has spoken internationally for library conferences on topics including intellectual freedom, social marketing, outreach, and library fundraising.

Anne Mangano

Collection Services Coordinator
(319) 887-6034 | [email protected]

Anne Mangano has worked for the Iowa City Public Library since 2007, serving as the Collection Services Coordinator since 2013.

In this position, she oversees the Library’s collection, including the selection, cataloging, processing, repair, and removal of materials. She also plans and directs ICPL’s digital collections, including the Local Music Project and the Digital History Project.

Anne holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and a Masters in Library and Information Science from Simmons College. She lives in Iowa City with her husband and two children.

Brent Palmer

Information Technology Coordinator
(319) 887-6035 | [email protected]

Brent Palmer joined the Iowa City Public Library staff in 2012. As the IT Coordinator, he oversees the technology at the Library including the online catalog, Virtual Branch, network, meeting room technology and Library Channel.

He studied biology at Kalamazoo College and obtained a Master's Degree in Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois. He enjoys reading hard boiled mysteries, futuristic science fiction, and books about evolution.

He lives in the Longfellow neighborhood of Iowa City is married and has two sons. Brent enjoys cross-country skiing, camping and gardening.

Jason Paulios

Adult Services Coordinator
(319) 887-6075 | [email protected]

Jason Paulios has worked in various positions at the Iowa City Public Library since 2006, he has served as the Adult Services Coordinator since 2020. He oversees reference services offered at the Info Desk, Switchboard, Digital Media Lab, Koza Family Teen Center, and Page Station. He coordinates programming opportunities for adults and teens.

Jason holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Luther College and a Masters in Library and Information Science from Southern Connecticut State University. He lives in Eastside Iowa City with his wife, two indoor cats, and all the critters that come with their backyard Iowa native prairie garden. He is interested in natural history and is an avid birder.

Angela Pilkington

Children's Services Coordinator
(319) 887-6019 | [email protected]

Angela Pilkington has served as the Children’s Services Coordinator since June 2015. Angela is responsible for the Children’s Room, including outreach to schools and daycares in the community.

Preceding her employment in Iowa City, Angela started her career at the Burlington Public Library in 2002 as the Youth Services Library Assistant, and in 2009 she became the Youth Services Manager.

She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from North Central College and her Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois. She has spoken at many conferences in Iowa, including the Iowa Library Association, and the Kids First Conference. Nationally, she will present at the Association for Library Service to Children National Institute in September 2018.

Katie Roche

Development Office Coordinator
(319) 356-5249 | [email protected]

Katie Roche joined the Iowa City Public Library in October 2022 and is responsible for leading the Iowa City Public Library Friends Foundation, working to strengthen the programs, services, collections, and facilities of the Iowa City Public Library.

Preceding her employment at the ICPL, Roche previously served as the Development Director for The Englert Theatre, a position that she held for the last 11 years. While serving at the Englert, Roche also served as the Development Director for Strengthen · Grow · Evolve, the joint capital and programmatic campaign of The Englert and FilmScene.

For nearly two decades Roche has been a nonprofit advisor, fundraising consultant, and cultural advocator in the Johnson County area. She has collaborated with organizations such as Wright House of Fashion, South District SSMID, Iowa City Downtown District, and Public Space 1. Roche brings her vast experience working with nonprofit organizations and proven experience in donor relations.

Jen Royer

Administrative Services Coordinator
(319) 887-6003 | [email protected]

Jen Royer has worked for the Iowa City Public Library since 2014, serving as the Administrative Coordinator since 2022. Previously, she has worked as a Library Aide and Library Assistant in Administrative Services at the Iowa City Public Library. Jen has also worked in elementary education and with AmeriCorps at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County.

As Administrative Coordinator Jen works with the Library Board of Trustees, personnel, budget management, and ICPL’s Annual Reports. Jen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Iowa.