Laurel Best Leaving Linebaugh Library
Linebaugh Library’s head librarian is accepting the top position at the Huntsville-Madison County facility. Laurel Best told WGNS News, “I will miss the people here. Everyone is wonderful.” The thirteen year director of the three-library Linebaugh system will take over the Alabama city’s twelve complex program on July 14th. As you recall, the Linebaugh Library board had a needs study done which indicated the population explosion requires a new main branch in Murfreesboro that is twice the size of the current one on the Civic Plaza. Research also showed a need for two additional branches. Best earlier proposed that a new main library be built in the Cason Lane/Medical Center Parkway area and that the downtown complex be made a branch. A branch was also suggested in north Murfreesboro. Best said, “We have a dedicated board who are working, and I hate to leave at this time. But the Huntsville offer was too good to pass-up and it was available now.” She commented that the county and city have helped so much–but the state mandates schools and not libraries. Her last day at Linebaugh will be June 12th. She has recommended to the board that Rita Shacklett be named the interim director, a position in which she has had previous experience.
Accomplishments: Under Laurel Best’s leadership the Linebaugh Foundation was formed, which launched a $36-million capital campaign. She doubled the number of libraries in the local system, in 2006 won the Giant Step Award from the School Library Journal and this year was honored by the Nashville Business Journal with the Impact Award.
May 14, 2008 at 1:13 am
I can’t believe our city let this powerful leader slip away. With all the talk of attracting corporate headquarters to the Gateway, they must not have realized that firm’s look for city’s with good schools, a strong library system, and the arts. We do have good schools, but public art, museums and cultural venues are weak. When will we learn?
May 15, 2008 at 3:33 am
Dale, how did the city know she was looking for a job?
May 15, 2008 at 6:39 pm
DON, Very good point.
May 15, 2008 at 6:40 pm
She was good though and my kids loved the library