Libby Albers returned to her long-held career field in natural resources as Assistant Director of the Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and Stream, after serving as Director of the Hesston Public Library for five years. She was promoted to Executive Director in September 2023. Prior to library work, Libby managed the WATER Center in Wichita, KS – a groundwater remediation and environmental education initiative – for twelve years. Her work experience with KDWP Fisheries, the Great Plains Nature Center, and AmeriCorps reflects her passion for Kansas’ natural environment.
Libby received KAWS’ “Annie’s Coffee Bean” award in 2021. Previously, she was named Hesston, Kansas’ “Citizen of the Year” in 2015. She received the “Water Conservationist” award from the Kansas Wildlife Federation in 2011, the “Excellence in Conservation and Environmental Education Award” from KACEE in 2007, and KDHE’s “Pollution Prevention” award in 2011.
Libby has undergraduate degrees in English (Kansas Newman College) and Biology (Wichita State University) as well as a Masters of Science Natural Resource Interpretation (Stephen F. Austin State University) and a Masters in Library & Information Science (Emporia State University). She holds certifications from the Kansas Leadership Center, the Kansas Environmental Leadership Program, and the National Association for Interpretation.
Libby’s interests include treasured time with her kids, camping, gardening, and working on her 120-year-old house. She loves Kansas and regularly geeks out on local history, native plants, and back road adventures.