Chambliss retiring as Northwest Georgia Regional Library System director

Published 12:00 pm Monday, July 15, 2024

Northwest Georgia Regional Library System Director Darla Chambliss, who since 2015 has overseen all public library operations for the system serving more than 208,000 people, will retire as director on Aug. 1.

The system includes the Calhoun-Gordon County Public Library, the Chatsworth-Murray County Public Library and the Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library.

Jim Rosencrance, chair of the Calhoun-Gordon County Public Library board and vice chair of the regional board, thanked Chambliss for moving the libraries forward and for her professionalism.

“Darla Chambliss has been a true professional who’s shown by example that perfection is a viable aim,” Rosencrance said in a statement. “Her passion, dedication and achievements have led the (library system) to modernization and excellence in service and growth. Her leadership, contributions and influence will be sorely missed.”

Each county library branch has seen an increase in local and state funding year over year to bring the system up to current state standards during Chambliss’ tenure. All branches have been redesigned and functionally modernized via state construction projects. Several million dollars in state library construction funding has been directed to the library system to prepare the libraries for the future.

Major improvements to each of the libraries include new roofing systems and interior renovations. There has also been the creation of history/genealogy rooms at the Calhoun and Chatsworth locations. A similar space is now in the design phase for the Dalton-Whitfield County Public Library.

All three branches have also seen their heating, ventilation and air conditioning, lighting, fire and safety systems updated or replaced during Chambliss’ tenure.

“Ensuring that all three libraries are safe, exciting and welcoming places for everyone in the community has always been the most important priority,” Chambliss said. “Whether it is making sure patrons have a place to use a computer and a printer if they need one, offering summer reading programs for all ages or providing fun events like monthly free Nerf wars, libraries are places for everyone.”

A public study/reading deck and pavilion are now in the design stages for the Dalton library, with construction set to begin in September. In the last year, electric vehicle charging stations have been installed on the Dalton campus.

Chambliss also championed the idea of participating in a pilot study with two other state library systems that resulted in a fines-free program to bring back patrons who might otherwise stay away because of outstanding fines. The programs are now policy.

The library system board, made up of members from each of the three library boards, is involved in a nationwide search for the next library system director.

“Darla Chambliss brought enthusiasm, creativity and joy to her library work in Georgia,” said State Librarian Julie Walker, vice chancellor for libraries and archives with the Georgia Public Library Service. “She cares deeply for her libraries, her communities and her team, and the results of her hard work and dedication are clearly evident in the outstanding library service offered in the Northwest Georgia regional system.”

Walker noted that Chambliss’ influence “extended beyond her own libraries, as she has always been a generous and supportive colleague to her peers around the state.”

“I know the Georgia library world joins me in wishing Darla all the best in retirement, as well as in acknowledging how sincerely she will be missed,” Walker said.