MCCLS has a new director

     No, Melody Jenkins has not left the building.  But she has retired from the directorship of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library System.  You can find her desk now near the area of the public computers, next to our InterLibrary Loan guru, Johnnie.  She will continue to work at the library about 17 hours a week, helping out at the front desk and in many other ways, such as mentoring our new director, Holly Phillips.
     Most people in the community will undoubtedly wonder who Holly is and how she came about being part of this great library system.  But lots of people will already know that Holly is really a hometown girl.  Well, hometown of Pelham, Georgia.
     It was Melody who actually "found" Holly and was impressed with her from when Holly first worked at the Doerun Library, an MCCLS branch.  Melody said when she asked Holly about getting her library science degree, she knew that when Holly graduated, she (Melody) would retire and hand the directorship over to her.  Melody said she knew Holly was the one; all the signs were there.
     In the meantime, Holly not only worked at the Doerun Library, but the Dougherty County Public Library and with the MCCLS Bookmobile.  All the time going to Valdosta State University, where she graduated in May of this year with a master's degree in library and information science.  Her bachelor's degree from VSU is in English (journalism track), since she had planned to become a journalist.
     Melody has spent 37 years at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Library.  She's felt the success of the system has been because of continuity in the directors.  Her predecessors held their positions for many years, as well.
     There are way too many accomplishments to list here about Melody Jenkins.  She first became a teacher, holding a bachelor of science degree in education with a major concentration in mathematics and special education from Western Carolina University.  But after a year of teaching, she went back to school and obtained her master of science degree in library science, with a concentration in children's library services and a certification as a medical librarian from the University of Kentucky. 
     She says she's still a teacher and her heart is here, here in the library that has become a second home to her.  So, you will continue to see her in the building.
     As for Holly, well, you can look for her in the library's Georgia Room, which is the director's office.  She has lots of room in there to fill up with "her stuff."  And she has lots of room in the shoes she will be filling.  Holly said she has big dreams for the library, even though some of those dreams come with high costs and dwindling budgets for public libraries.
     Look for them both when you come to our library.  The continuity of care and dedication is evident when you talk to both of these women.  Not many libraries have the privilege of having such knowledge in place all at one time.  For both of them will focus on what the library currently provides and still continue to plan for the future needs of their patrons.
     Congratulations, Melody and Holly.  Your staff looks forward to the future with you.