The major topic at the recent Liberty County Library Board of Trustees meeting was not listed on the agenda: the expectation of the new regional library director, Tom Sloan, starting work next month.

“Some jobs are not being filled and some program decisions are waiting for Sloan, although full library services are available,” Interim Executive Director Stephen Whigham said.

Whigham has held the interim post twice in the series of personnel changes dating back to 2016. Longtime director Christian Kruse left abruptly in April 2016 and Jason Broughton was appointed interim director.

Whigham followed Broughton in the interim position until a search committee worked for a year to find Trent Reynolds, who was hired by the libraries regional board. 

After three months as director, Reynolds resigned without explanation and Whigham was called back to serve as interim director again.

On the local level, Live Oak in Liberty County has elected Kathryn Walden as secretary of the county board and the group is looking for another member to fill a vacant seat.

A public celebration is coming up Aug. 27 to mark the Hinesville library’s second anniversary in its new building. There will be cake and ice cream and activities. The public is invited.

The county library board’s next meeting is set for 5 p.m. Oct. 15 at the Cooper-Smith branch in Midway.

Parker can be contacted by email at joeparkerjr@hotmail.com.