Longtime library director Lisa Rice introduced her retirement earlier this winter and simply concluded a powerful profession in librarianship in the beginning of this month. Her a few years of library service benefitted not solely our local people however, by way of her actions in skilled organizations, communities all through Kentucky and across the nation as nicely. She garnered many accolades through the years, most lately the well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kentucky Library Affiliation (KLA).
Lisa started working for Bowling Inexperienced Public Library within the Eighties as a scholar employee whereas attending Western Kentucky College. With an undergraduate diploma in Library Media Training, she labored as college librarian in Butler County for 10 years. She earned a Masters in LME from WKU; in 2000, she left the college system to turn out to be the general public library’s Assistant Director. In 2008, when the library turned a county-wide taxing district, she turned Director of the newly established Warren County Public Library. She additionally taught various programs as an adjunct teacher for WKU’s Library Media Training division in her off hours.
Recognized for her skilled dedication, Lisa was energetic and influential in library organizations all through her profession. She offered often at state conferences and mentored many new administrators, managers, and professionals. Lively on the nationwide stage, she served as a Chapter Councilor for the American Library Affiliation (ALA), labored with The Marketing campaign for America’s Libraries, and chaired its Nationwide Library Week committee. She was on the board of the Southeastern Library Affiliation. She served on, in addition to chaired, quite a few committees for the Kentucky Public Library Affiliation (KPLA). She was president of KPLA (2006) and KLA (2012). Regionally she is energetic in Kiwanis, having served as president in 2018.
A consummate advocate, Lisa labored tirelessly to make constructive adjustments all through the library world. Usually the purpose particular person for advocacy efforts, she stayed related to politicians by often taking part in Nationwide Legislative Days in Washington, DC, in addition to Kentucky Legislative Days in Frankfort.
Above all, Lisa cared about making a constructive affect on the group. She oversaw a number of library expansions, renovations, and constructing tasks and has all the time sought progressive methods of reaching the underserved. Since its inception, she performed an instrumental position within the SOKY Guide Fest partnership with WKU Libraries and Barnes & Noble Booksellers, bringing in best-selling authors, nationally identified celebrities, and internationally identified specialists to the competition, faculties, and the library. Most lately, Lisa jumped in to coordinate in depth outreach following Bowling Inexperienced’s December 2021 tornados, serving to present reduction and help the place wanted. She volunteered many hours accumulating and distributing gadgets, in addition to offering emotional help to households with on-the-ground library programming, working intently with native college programs and the Purple Cross.
Lisa’s high quality of labor and robust management is mirrored within the quite a few awards she’s obtained, which embrace the next:
•Champions for Kids Dedication, Influence & Service Award (Tri-SKY Collaborative Early Childhood Council), 2022
•Peggy Sullivan Award for Public Library Directors Supporting Companies to Children (ALA), 2017.
•James A. Nelson Library Advocate Award, (KLA), 2016
•Excellent Advocacy Award (Buddies of KY Libraries), 2016
•Certificates of Commendation for the Southern Kentucky Guide Fest (AASL), 2012
•Excellent Public Library Service Award (KPLA), 2011
Reference and Technical Companies Supervisor Holly Hedden, who labored below Lisa’s course for twenty years, notes the immense development that passed off below her management. “Throughout Lisa’s tenure, WCPL has expanded entry by way of group outreach companies, broadened collections to supply in depth digital content material, and applied adjustments to scale back limitations to library service for all patrons. She has additionally been instrumental in bringing new alternatives for enrichment, connection, and literacy growth to households; and world-class authors, explorers, and different audio system to Warren County.”
“I’ve all the time been amazed at Lisa’s artistic imaginative and prescient and her capacity to guide our library system towards innovation and excellence,” stated Ashley Fowlkes, Digital Content material Supervisor. “She has left an indelible impression on our library system and on our group at giant. She is bodily leaving the library system, however her affect will keep it up in spirit for a few years to come back.”
-submitted by Warren County Public Library
