Robertson County Connection
SPRINGFIELD WEATHER

Stokes Brown Public Library director resigns




Chris Hall, director of the Stokes Brown Public Library, at a recent chamber event. Hall has resigned her position at the library. CHERI REEVES

Chris Hall, director of the Stokes Brown Public Library, at a recent chamber event. Hall has resigned her position at the library. CHERI REEVES

Chris Hall, director of the Stokes Brown Public Library, has resigned from her position with plans of re-entering the field of teaching.

Hall resigned on Thursday, June 20, citing family reasons for her job change. 

Hall has served six years in her position.

She was the very first library director of the Stokes Brown Public Library since before it opened in September of 2015, hired first to oversee the transition from the Gorham MacBane Library, which was renovated as part of the renovation and construction of the newer library in Springfield.

Hall said in an email to the board, dated June 20, 2019, that the decision to leave was for the good of her family.

“Being a library director is my dream job, but I find that my family is more important than my ‘dreams,’ Hall said.

In her letter of resignation, Hall said her number one job is being a parent to her three children.

“I find it is time to move in a different direction in order to be more present for them,” Hall wrote.

The Stokes Brown Public Library’s annual operating budget is funded equally by the City of Springfield and Robertson County. The board oversees the operation of the library, establishes policies and hires the Library Director.

Hall’s resignation letter made no mention of her disappointment over her staff’s wages following the city and county’s decision to reduce additional requested library funds that would have given library workers a pay boost. 

Library Board member Paul Nutting said Hall has done a very good job as director.

“She has been a very big help in professionalizing the library,” Nutting said. “She has accomplished things at the library that she can be very proud of.”

Schools Director Chris Causey, who also sits on the board, said he has only good things to say about the job Hall has done since becoming director.

“It’s very hard to see her go, because she’s been phenomenal,” Causey said. “As a member of the library board, about all I can say is that we have some hard shoes to fill.”

The board has yet to meet and name an interim director or discuss the process of searching for a new director. 

Hall said in her resignation letter that she is grateful for the staff and library board members, both past and present, who have helped her to grow professionally.

Hall’s last full day as the library director will be July 19.

This is a developing story. The Connection will add to this story as more information is received.

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