SUBMITTED REPORT
It was only two weeks ago that Kyle officials broke ground on their new public library. Now the city has a new library director to lead the programs and manage the facility.
Kyle city manager Lanny Lambert announced today that Connie Brooks, Kyle’s interim library director for the past 17 months, will now serve in the position permanently.
“I’m very excited to have someone with the depth of experience in library administration as Connie Brooks,” Lambert said. “Connie’s 36 years of experience in libraries across our country, combined with her experience with our Kyle library, make her uniquely qualified for this position.”
Brooks has served as interim library director since September 2009, when Bill Mears retired from the post. Brooks began her career with the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas. She has also served with the New York State Library where she was the first full-time coordinator of the nation’s first statewide preservation program. She also was responsible for several programs with the Stanford University Library system while serving as head of their preservation department. Brooks has been with the Kyle library since January 2008.
“The opportunity to be a part of building the new library facility, along with the expansion of our programs going into the facility, is a truly once in a lifetime opportunity. I feel so blessed to be able to be a part of it,” Brooks said.
Brooks has a master’s degree in library science from the University of Texas at Austin where she received an outstanding student award. She also earned a bachelor of arts degree in Spanish from Mount Holyoke College where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and was elected into Phi Beta Kappa.
“Connie has proven to be highly motivated to provide quality services to the citizens of Kyle through our library,” Kyle Mayor Lucy Johnson said. “Under her leadership, and with her vision, our new Kyle Public Library will soon become a model for libraries everywhere to follow.”
There were over 200 applicants for the position from as far away as Washington, Florida, Delaware and the Philippines.
