The Suwannee River Regional Library is faced with leadership change as current director John D. “Danny” Hales plans for a fall retirement. The Board of County Commissioners selected Betty Lawrence as the new library director designate; Lawrence accepted.

“I am extremely pleased she was chosen,” Hales said. “She was one of my top candidates just from reading her resume. In my opinion, she had an excellent interview on Wednesday. The board must have agreed; they voted for her unanimously.”

He added, “as soon as the hiring process is over, we are looking at a Sept. 26 start date. Then she will work with me for about five to six weeks.”

Lawrence will be in charge of the Suwannee River Regional Library which includes branches in  Branford, Greenville, Jasper, Jennings, Lee, Live Oak, Madison and White Springs. According to the County Coordinator Joe Gerrity Jr., her salary will be $71,000 annually.

Lawrence is a graduate from the Suwannee County school system. She will be leaving her position as assistant director of libraries for the Rochester/Monroe County Public Library, in Rochester, N.Y.

“I think she’ll be a good library director to take up where Danny Hales left off. He has a very good library system,” Jesse Caruthers, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, said. “She really seems to have the energy needed, especially for our young people.”

Although Hales is retiring on Nov. 1, he said he plans to stay active within the community as a member or position holder for various boards. He also volunteers for a student mentoring program.   

“We are going to do a lot of traveling,” Hales said. “I have some desire to work on my family history on both sides of the family.”

He added, “There are a lot of golf courses I have never played.”