Hello!
I am honored to have been selected as the new Executive Director of Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL). I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the library system, communities, and staff that I love in this exciting new way. CRRL has been serving our region for just over 54 years, and I will work to ensure that our innovative, award-winning library system continues to provide the outstanding customer service for which it is renowned.
My time with CRRL goes way back. I started shelving books in the children and teen sections at Fredericksburg Branch when I was in high school, while Donna Cote was the Library Director. I went to college intent on a different career path, but quickly realized how much I missed library work. After a few stints in academic libraries and even an art library, I realized where I belonged and returned to public service and CRRL.
I worked as a teen librarian, moving up in the department until I was appointed to lead youth services as coordinator of services to children and teens system-wide. In 2016, I was hired as Deputy Director and applied my skills and knowledge to the operational side of the entire organization until now, when I take on this new challenge.
I'll ensure that CRRL continues to deliver on the commitments that were made to the community in the Strategic Plan. This will happen by:
- embracing the library’s mission to provide lifelong learning,
- fulfilling its vision to improve lives through the transformative power of information, learning and ideas, and by
- living its values.
Those values are:
- Learning – promoting learning and literacy in all forms
- Inclusion – maintaining a culture where diversity is celebrated and everyone is included
- Adaptability – being agile and responsive, while making resources and services available to all
- Accountability – serving as responsible stewards of public resources and trust
- Community – providing opportunities to meet, exchange ideas, and participate in the life of our customers
As an avid reader, I use our libraries to read as much as I want without having to buy every book. While I still read physical books, I appreciate that the library provides eBooks, too, since I can make the text larger as needed. The library collection helps me figure out how to attract wildlife to my yard and even to train my dog. I’m also learning Italian using the Mango app.
My hopes and dreams for the library system are that every location is a welcoming place for every member in all of our communities. I hope that customers of all ages will know they can count on their library to find something to read, to use a computer or a study space, or to have a unique experience at a class or event. I want every customer to receive outstanding customer service at every visit from talented staff who love their work and are fairly compensated.
Now that you know a little about me, I very much want to meet you, to learn how CRRL has impacted your life, and what your hopes and dreams are for the future of your library system. I will be hosting a series of meet and greets and sincerely hope that you will stop by so that we can talk.
Thank you,
