Robbins earns library certification

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard

Magness Library manager Mary Robbins recently received her Certified Public Library Manager certificate Pictured are, from left, Faith A. Holdredge, Robbins, Pat Bigbee and Rachel Killebrew. (Charles W. Johnson photo)

Magness Library manager Mary Robbins recently received her state certification in library management at a graduation ceremony at Austin Peay State University.

The three-year course of study required Robbins to attend at least five training sessions during each year and spend a week at the Public Library Management Institute at Austin Peay each summer. The institute was presented by the Tennessee Department of State, Tennessee State Library and Archives.

Attending the ceremony are library board members Pat Bigbee, Rachel Killebrew and Caney Fork Regional Library director Faith A. Holdredge, who said Robbins is to be commended for completing the course.

“It’s a big undertaking,” said Holdredge. “It’s three years and she’s had over 80 or 90 hours of extra training to do this. I think it’s wonderful and I think the people of McMinnville and Warren County will benefit a great deal from it. They already have.”

According to Robbins, her class had 32 library managers or directors enrolled from all around the state. The course included three levels covering a variety of areas in which public library managers need to be proficient. These included personnel, outreach, marketing and fundraising among other subjects. Recognized experts from around the country were brought in to teach the workshops in the different areas covered by the course.

“I am very glad I was able to participate in and graduate from the institute,” Robbins said. “I learned a lot and it will be of great help to me in my work here at Magness Library.”

Robbins said she appreciated the support she got from board members and library personnel during the training.

“I greatly appreciate my Board of Trustees who supported my effort to increase my knowledge and improve my skills in library management so that I can better serve the people of Warren County in my position here at Magness Library,” Robbins said. “My staff, also, is to be commended for the fine job that they did carrying on their work at the library while I was away.”