BUCHANAN — The Buchanan District Library has settled into its 128 Front St. home over the past decade or so unconventionally.

In 2014, its first floor had a cosmetic overhaul. Its children’s section was expanded, and its circulation desk was relocated. This summer, its front doors and elevator were opened for public use.

Its new director, Meg Paulette will help institute the final project of the library’s three-phrase plan: expanding its upstairs space to host more community events and library programs. Paulette became its director July 1, replacing Barbara Gordon, who now is the Cass District Library’s director.

Like the library she now oversees, Paulette’s path to where she is now could be considered unconventional, too. Most library directors have a masters of library science. She does not.

Paulette is working on obtaining it, however. For now, she said she has drawn from her past nonprofit, development and social services experiences, as well as her love for libraries, to help make the library a place for everyone.

“I’ve always been attracted to the idea of doing work that is impactful on the entire community,” she said.

Paulette entered her role with a bachelors in graphic design. She also brings experience from working at the Center from the Homeless in South Bend, Hope Ministries in South Bend and Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve.

She also brings library experience, having worked at Ottawa Elementary as a media specialist and at Buchanan District Library’s circulation desk.

“I have a lot of library experience, and I really fell in love with working in libraries,” she said.

At the urging of the library’s board, she applied for its open director position.

She said her path from graphic design graduate to library director appears “magical and serendipitous,” but in many ways, it was not.

“It was just me putting out there what I was really looking for,” Paulette said. “I think it was also not being scared to change the plan. Follow your gut a little bit more.”

Now, as a former nonprofit worker and a longtime Buchanan resident, she wants to create a sense of community through her new role.

“What I love about libraries is that they’re a place for everybody,” she said. “They’re a place for everyone to come together. They’re a place where you’re a citizen, not a consumer.”

Paulette said her past roles give her experience that a library science program may not teach.

She said she has learned how to fundraise, which is needed for the district library’s third project phase, for everyday programming and for smaller update projects.

Paulette said her work through social services and Fernwood allowed her to experience different of economic and lifestyle spectrums. As a library director, she said she will help people from both ends of the spectrum and everyone in between.

To assist everyone and to create a sense of community, Paulette, staff and the library board have a few plans in mind. While that means implementing the library’s third phase of renovations, it also means reworking everyday goings-on.

“I think we could use a refresher,” she said. “I think we could update things a bit and make them a little bit more in-touch.”

With community input and some creativity, Paulette said the library’s programs and services can reflect the wants and needs of the public. While some programs have been successful — like its yearly senior night out and its Geeky Bits children’s technology program — others have seen attendance drop.

Paulette wants to stop that drop.

Other updates could include technology updates to the children’s area, and improving its collection and introduce a Library of Things, which would include non-traditional library items that could be checked out.

New programs and property updates could bring in people who do not normally come to the library, she said. That, in turn, could inspire new volunteers and donors.

“It can bring more people into the fold and say, ‘Hey, this is our place. This is for the whole community,’” Paulette said.

As the Buchanan District Library goes through additional updates over the next few years, Paulette plans to stay as its director.

“I live here,” she said, referring to Buchanan. “I have an 11-year-old daughter in the school system. We’re here. I’m not looking at this as a stepping stone to a different part of my career. This is my community. This is where I live.”