Manager, North Cobb Regional Library
What is your main responsibility?
As North Cobb Regional Library’s (NCRL) manager, I oversee operations at the branch and disseminate administrative policies and procedures. I also ensure the library is welcoming for all and is centered around customer service.
How big is the team you oversee, and what are your team’s responsibilities?
I am so proud of our NCRL team. We are a group of 24 team members, who provide excellent circulation, reference, computer and additional customer services for patrons. Team members also participate in outreach events to promote library services. We do a lot to “take the library out of the building,” so we can reach the community where they gather.
When were you hired? What is your background?
I have a bachelor’s degree from Howard University in early childhood education and human development and a master’s degree in library and information science from Valdosta State University. I was hired by Cobb County Library System as a part-time information assistant, and I found I truly enjoyed the public services aspect of working in libraries and children’s programming. I was blessed to manage Acworth Library when it was located next to Acworth City Hall, and I fell in love with the north Cobb area. Everyone is extremely warm and neighborly.
What has been the biggest surprise about your job?
The biggest surprise is how much the community loves and supports libraries. We have families that have been regular visitors since their children were babies, and we have watched them grow up. We also have support from our area schools, churches, CobbWorks, and the cities of Acworth and Kennesaw, to name a few. I have been overwhelmed by how much our community is behind us.
What do you like most about your job?
I like that the library is an institution that reaches out to patrons of all ages and backgrounds. We have storytimes for babies, a teen space for young adults, and book clubs and activities for the older crowd. The library is a unique entity that brings people together. I love being a part of that type of fellowship.
What kinds of growth have you seen in your time with the library?
Acworth Library was a small 2,500-square-foot library, and we merged with Kennesaw Library to create North Cobb, which is approximately 25,000 square-feet. The facility offers a variety of resources, including a teen room, creative space to offer crafting classes, computer lab and outdoor patios. We also have study rooms and a community room for large events.
What services or features are people surprised to hear the library offers?
People are surprised about the many educational resources available with a Cobb County Library card, including ATL Tutor, which provides free tutoring for students, as well as GALE Courses and LinkedIn Learning that provide skill-building courses with certificates of completion.
Patrons also are surprised about the free pass programs offered at the library, which includes the Southern Museum, Atlanta Zoo, Micheal Carlos Museum, Center for Puppetry Arts Museum, Chattahoochee Nature Center, Georgia State Parks and more.
Are there any future projects in the works?
We are very excited about our upcoming community garden that will be headed by Vidhya Jagannathan, our creative space coordinator. Vidhya worked with Foodwell Alliance organization to secure a $1,500 grant to start the garden. The garden will be in partnership with Cobb Parks, which will build four raised beds and two higher beds for special-needs visitors and patrons who cannot reach the ground. The community garden will be the first of its kind for Cobb Libraries, and we look forward to having the library be a place of learning and community. We have had several gardeners reach out to us, offering help. If you are interested in helping, call Vidhya at the library to get more information (770-801-5320).
What are your goals?
My goal is to continue to see the library grow in resources and patronage, while connecting with all the businesses, nonprofits and education centers in the north Cobb area. I also want to write a best-selling book about my church. It’s an interesting story I would love to tell.
Leave a Reply