The Brown County Library Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that Ms. Sarah Sugden has been selected as the new Brown County Library Director. The Library Board at their August board meeting confirmed her appointment. Ms. Sugden will begin in the position on November 5, 2018.
“The board is extremely impressed with Sarah’s experience, knowledge and commitment,” said Board President John Van Dyck, “Her results-driven leadership style, record of innovation, fiscal management, team building, and community involvement makes her the leader that the Board was seeking to head Brown County Library.”
Sugden brings over 13 years of experience as a library director in Waterville, ME. After her early term of library jobs, she launched her professional library career as a Youth Librarian in 1997 at the Mesquite Branch of the Phoenix (AZ) Public Library. She then served as Media Coordinator/Librarian at Newton-Conover High School (Newton, NC) in 2000; and Senior Librarian/Youth Services, Cambridge (MA) Public Library, Main Library in 2001, before becoming director of her childhood library, the Waterville (ME) Public Library, in 2005. Because of her library management and leadership, advocacy campaigns for capital improvements successfully secured $1.5 million in municipal support, and a $3.1 million capital campaign for renovation and expansion of a historic building and enhanced library programs was successfully completed.
Sugden is passionate about giving people as many opportunities as possible to transform their lives for the better. She looks forward to strengthening the Brown County Library’s future – bolstering community engagement, augmenting accessibility and presence, and fostering fiscal and administrative strength. She succeeds Brian Simons who served as Library Director from March 2015 – April 2018.
The mission of the Brown County Library System, comprised of a Central Library, eight branches and Bookmobile, is to be a catalyst for community advancement.
