Julie Meredith first began working in the Independence Township Library as a volunteer at the age of 12.
Now, 18 years later, and she is returning to her old stomping grounds as Independence Township’s new library director.
‘I want residents to know how passionate I am about Independence Township Library,? said Meredith. ‘Independence Township Library is the reason I am a librarian.?
Meredith was born and raised in Clarkston. She attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio for her bachelor of science in psychology and Kent State, also in Ohio, for her master’s in library science.
Her first job out of college was as youth services coordinator for the Putnam County District Library from 1994-1998. She returned home to Independence in 1998 and worked as the township’s teen librarian until 2004.
‘I came back home at that point,? explained Meredith. ‘I came back to Clarkston because I wanted to be closer to my family.?
In 2004, Meredith decided to expand her career and became the youth services specialist at the Library of Michigan in Lansing.
‘I needed to expand and do some larger administration projects,? Meredith said. ‘I was interested in a new challenge. That’s how I ended up at the Library of Michigan.?
Meredith’s career as a librarian began well before her college education. When she was 12 years old, the Independence native began volunteering at the library ? and continued working for the department all through high school and during her college summers.
Meredith said she was always impressed with the library’s dedicated staff, Friends of the Library and Library Board.
‘This is my hometown library,? said Meredith. ‘When the position came open, people contacted me and asked ‘Are you going to apply?? I thought about it for a bit and decided I certainly wanted to.?
When looking into the future, Meredith said the first challenge on her radar is the library millage renewal set for the August election.
Other future projects for the new director include creating an advisory board for the library and participating in the government recognition program Quality Services Audit Checklist.
‘This checklist provides the benchmarks needed to guarantee our residents are receiving the quality of services they need and deserve,? said Meredith.
‘I really want people at the end of my first year to point at the library and say ‘That’s why we live in Independence.? I’m really looking forward to being here, learning my new position and facing the challenges ahead.?
The Independence Township Board of Trustees voted unanimously at their February 21 regular meeting to hire Meredith at a salary of $60,000 a year. Her start date is set for March 20.
According to Assistant Supervisor Charles Herring, the hiring committee received 12 resumes.
‘I feel that this would be an ideal person to lead us forward in this library,? said Herring during the meeting. ‘She definitely has the vision we were looking for.?
‘She did a great job serving here as our youth librarian,? said Trustee Larry Rosso. ‘Little did I know that she would be coming back here where her roots are.?
‘We’re definitely pleased she is back and will be bringing her experience with her,? concurred Trustee Dan Travis.