Library district names new executive director

The Springfield-Greene County Library District has named its new executive director, who will replace retiring Annie Busch in early January.

The district's board of trustees on Tuesday selected Regina Cooper, who currently is an associate director at the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library in Alabama.

Cooper was one of four finalists for the job who were interviewed in a public, staff and board process Sept. 19-20 at the Library Center and the Brentwood Branch Library.

"I am impressed with the staff and the community and all the interesting and exciting things you are doing," Cooper said in a news release. "I am looking forward to moving to Springfield, which seems to me to be large enough to have amenities, but small enough to be comfortable."

Cooper has worked in the Alabama library system for 28 years. She earned a master's degree in library science from Peabody College, which is part of Vanderbilt University, according to the release.

As the Springfield-Greene County's district's ninth director, Cooper will be responsible for identifying, planning, organizing, executing and evaluating library services in the 10-branch district, the release said. She will hire staff, develop short- and long-term plans, and provide expertise on finance, expansion, staff development, professional service and public relations.