NEWS RELEASE

The Boyle County Public Library is a vibrant hub of information and activity for the Danville-Boyle County community. The library offers numerous services, programs, and online resources, and has a vast collection of digital and physical materials. BCPL continues to evolve to better meet the needs of the community.

In December 2022, library director Georgia de Araujo notified the board of her plans to retire in September of this year, leading the board to begin the process of finding a successor. The position was posted on Feb. 1, and by early March the board had received seven applications. The selection committee evaluated each candidate’s materials and conducted interviews with four finalists.

After several meetings in March, the committee recommended BCPL assistant director Colleen Hall to the full board at its April meeting. The board voted unanimously to hire her for the position. “Colleen brings impressive experience working with the library staff and making connections in the community,” said board president Lonnie Harp. “Our board saw a solid fit in her vision and approach. We are eager to keep expanding our momentum as a creative presence that meets the wide interests of this community. Colleen will be great at meeting and working with our many dedicated patrons and community partners, and creating new connections.”

Hall has been assistant director at the library since September 2020. She brought to BCPL a broad level of experience in library services, having served as the Outreach Services manager in the St. Louis Public Library system in Missouri, and having been in service to children and teens, either in a school library setting or as a Children’s Librarian for many years. She also served as the Director of Community Engagement at Lexington Public Library prior to coming to BCPL.

Some of her accomplishments as assistant director that stood out to the selection committee included her part in creating and expanding BCPL’s ability to offer books and materials to young readers on the Bookmobile even if they don’t have library cards; her skills as a supervisor of a large part of the library staff; her involvement with the library’s conversion to an updated collection management system; and her eagerness to be involved in community connections.

“The Boyle County Public Library has been thriving and successful for over 125 years because people are passionate about it, care about it. Colleen is one of those people,” said de Araujo. “She understands the pivotal role a public library plays in the life of a community. I can’t think of anyone more suited to shepherd our Library through the great opportunities that lie ahead.”

Hall will assume the duties of Boyle County Public Library Director on July 1, with de Araujo moving to a position as senior adviser to the director and board until her retirement in September.

The library is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Chat with library staff using the live chat service on the library’s website or by texting (859)-545-8398.

The Boyle County Public Library serves the city of Danville and the surrounding communities, and is actively committed to enriching the lives of its patrons. The library is located at 307 West Broadway in Danville.