SPLF Staff Members
Elsbeth Howe
Executive Director
Elsbeth Howe has a passion for education and the power and promise of public libraries. She joined the Stillwater Public Library Foundation as Executive Director in September 2023 and is thrilled to support Stillwater Public Library, a vital resource in our community. Before this she served as Development Director at the Inver Hills Community College Foundation for almost four years. In that role she sought to make college accessible and affordable for students, and was responsible for fundraising, grantwriting, event planning, the alumni association, and scholarship administration at Inver Hills.
Before Inver Hills, Elsbeth served as Executive Director at Students United, an advocacy and scholarship nonprofit organization for Minnesota State University students.
Elsbeth earned a B.A. in History from Drake University and earned her J.D. degree from the University of Iowa College of Law. In May 2023 Elsbeth completed a Master’s Degree in Philanthropic Studies from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University. She has served as a board member for several local nonprofit organizations, and was a pro bono volunteer attorney with the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota between 2011-2017.
Contact Elsbeth at (651) 504-2350 or splf@stillwaterlibraryfoundation.org
Bethany Cox
Development and Communications Coordinator
Bethany Cox joined the Stillwater Public Library Foundation in April 2026.
Bethany is a former Stillwater Public Library Board trustee and currently represents District 3 on the Washington County Board of Commissioners. Prior to being elected to the County Board, Bethany served as the Director of Development at Wild Rivers Conservancy.
A lifelong library enthusiast, Bethany grew up with her mother who worked in the Brown County Public Library system. You can find her perusing the stacks with her two children after school as reading is a family affair.
Susie Danielson
Volunteer Coordinator
Susie Danielson has dedicated over a decade as Volunteer Coordinator of Stillwater Public Library, building deep roots within the library community. She oversees the recruitment, retention, and management of volunteers who support the library, Friends of the Stillwater Public Library, and the Stillwater Public Library Foundation.
A past recipient of the Vi Russel Award for Excellence in Volunteer Management, Susie is grateful for the support of the Foundation and its generous donors, which makes the volunteer program possible.
Volunteering not only benefits the library, but it also allows individuals to give meaningfully of their time and talents, to both connect with their community and to make it a better place. It provides opportunities to build relationships, to learn new skills, and to increase fun and fulfillment in life.
Honored to work alongside volunteers who give of their time, Susie finds her role deeply rewarding.
