Chattanooga library director resigns

Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/  Corinne Hill Director of the Chattanooga Public Library, center, talks about the new partnership between the library and the Avondale YFD center on Nov. 20, 2019.
Staff Photo by Robin Rudd/ Corinne Hill Director of the Chattanooga Public Library, center, talks about the new partnership between the library and the Avondale YFD center on Nov. 20, 2019.

The director of the Chattanooga Public Library has resigned.

According to a news release from the library, Corinne Hill submitted her resignation to the library’s board of directors Tuesday. Her resignation will be effective Nov. 18 as part of a planned transition following a 10-year tenure, the news release said. The release said Hill, director since March 2012, will be pursuing new endeavors.

“The Library board of directors is proud of Corinne’s accomplishments, leadership and service to the community over the past 10 years,” Board Chairman William Sundquist said in the news release. “Chattanooga’s library has grown and become a place for lifetime learning for all in Chattanooga and is recognized as an innovative library globally.”

“Under Corinne’s leadership, our public library has transformed into a regional asset that inspires people every day to explore and achieve, bringing our community closer together and improving quality of life for all Chattanoogans,” Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly said in the release. “I’m incredibly grateful for her 10 years of service to our city, and I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”

Hill was quoted in the release saying, “Creating a library that can serve a highly connected, rapidly changing community was a constant goal while at the Chattanooga Public Library. I’m pleased to say we have achieved that and more over the past 10 years.”

According to the release, Hill solidified the library as a destination for 21st century learning with programs and services including a makerspace, professional recording studio, new library branch, library card program for public school students and an increase in circulation to more than 1 million items a year.

The board has appointed Deputy Director Richard Beeland to serve as interim executive director, effectively immediately to assist with the transition. Beeland will lead library operations while the board establishes a committee to identify and select a replacement in coordination with the city.

— Compiled by Ricky Young



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