After interviewing and introducing three candidates to GCPL staff, the GCPL Board has selected Kris Carroll as the next Director. Mrs. Carroll, who has served as the Assistant Director for GCPL since November 2016 and Interim Director since August 2021, will be officially appointed at the December 21 Board meeting.
Mrs. Carroll has 19 years of public library experience. She served as Bainbridge Branch Manager from October 2011 – November 2016 and Assistant Branch Manager for Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library from March 2006 – October 2011. Prior to that, Mrs. Carroll was the Learning Center Coordinator for Cuyahoga Community College’s Metro Campus.
“The GCPL board members debated and discussed for a long time about what we wanted from our next Library Director. Kris Carroll has impressed us all with both her proven leadership skills and her vision of where we need to be going forward. We are truly excited to embark on the next chapter of our library system,” says GCPL Board President Joshua Hutchinson.
Mrs. Carroll has worked throughout her career to develop a vision for public libraries which places the civic needs of the community at the center of the library’s mission. She was instrumental in the completion of two new GCPL Branches, including Bainbridge’s innovative maker space, the Inspiration Station, and has managed the distribution of over 25,000 free COVID-19 test kits throughout all of Geauga County.
“Working with the staff to serve the Geauga County community over the past ten years has been an honor and I am thrilled to take on this new role at GCPL. I look forward to working with our engaged staff, library Board, and the community to continue GCPL’s great work and carry out our vision for how the library can best serve the community,” Mrs. Carroll says.
“The public library is part of a network of civic, educational, business, and other organizations that share common interests. My intent is to work closely with individuals and groups throughout the community to find new means of connecting people so we can work together to accomplish shared goals and serve the needs of the community.”
About the Geauga County Public Library
The Geauga County Public Library, rated a 4-Star Library by Library Journal, includes five full-service Branches in Bainbridge, Chardon, Chesterland (Geauga West), Middlefield, and Thompson, a fleet of Mobile Services vehicles that serve rural areas and community centers, and an Administrative Center where technical services, computer services, facilities and administrative functions reside, in addition to its public library space. GCPL has more than 900,000 books and eBooks. The collection also contains more than 100,000 audio / video items and 60 Research databases available through its website. GCPL is a member of the Clevnet consortium, giving patrons access to more than 12 million items. Learn more about the Geauga County Public Library at GeaugaLibrary.net
