Davies picked to be library’s new executive director

Nicolle Davies, a nationally-recognized library leader who was named Library Journal magazine’s 2016 Librarian of the Year, will be Charleston County Public Library’s new executive director, the library’s Board of Trustees announced today.

Davies

“Charleston is blessed to have a library leader of Nicolle’s stature to steer our system in the transformational years ahead of us,” said Andy Brack, chair of the library’s Board of Trustees. “A world-class city attracts world-class talent. With energy, drive and vision, Nicolle will help guide our professional staff through exciting changes with new buildings and programs that will truly make our libraries become lifelong learning centers.

Davies will step down as director of the Arapahoe Library District, a system in the greater Denver area with eight branch libraries and a $30 million annual budget. She will start her new position in Charleston by October.

“I am thrilled to have been chosen as the next executive director of the Charleston County Public Library,” Davies said today. “It is an exciting time for public libraries, and I am happy to join a community that invests in their libraries.

“During my interview, I was impressed with the warmth and passion that the staff and board have for this work,” she added. “My hope is to serve even more patrons and members of the community as our libraries change and expand.”

Library Journal, a national professional publication, praised Davies for improving library services to district residents. Specifically, the magazine recognized her efforts to make the library an essential community service and hub for residents by providing access to the latest, cutting-edge technologies and continually striving to ensure open communication with district residents and library staff.

Davies was one of three finalists selected by the board and interviewed earlier this month after a national search by an executive recruitment firm that specializes in locating the best and brightest from the world of libraries. More than 100 applications were received for the position.

The new director will lead the system’s continuing efforts to grow virtual services, overhaul technologies, create innovative content and build sustainable partnerships with businesses and community organizations.

One key focus on the horizon for Davies is the library’s $108.5 million Building and Renovation Program, which includes constructing five new libraries (two new branches and three replacements), renovating 13 existing branches and relocating support staff out of the Main Library to free up space for public use.

While in Colorado, she has supervised or worked on several multi-million projects to build new branches or renovate existing ones.

The starting salary for the position will be $151,250.

About Nicolle Davies

Davies, 40, started with the Arapahoe Library District in 2005 as director of communications and worked her up through several positions until being named executive director in 2012. Prior to that she worked in public relations and broadcast television.

While at the district, Davies implemented new staffing models, received voter support in 2015 for a tax levy that increased the library’s budget by 25 percent and worked to oversee the construction or renovation of several branch libraries.

Currently, Davies is president of the Rotary Club of Centennial, Colo., and is active on several committees for the American Library Association, the Public Library Association and the Colorado Association for Libraries.

She has a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Colorado.

SOURCE:  Charleston County Public Library news release.

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