Friends of the Library hear updates from LCO Director

A group of library supporters gathered last weekend to meet the new Director of the Library Center of the Ozarks.

The Friends of the Library Center of the Ozarks held an open house on Saturday. The event allowed members of the Friends of the Library to get to know the library's new director, Nicholas Holladay. Holladay, who previously served as the Director of Communications and Community Engagement for the Christian County Library, began his employment at Branson's library in February. Holladay brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that will prove invaluable in his new position.

Holladay (Photo submitted by K.D. Michaels)

Holladay spoke about his goals for the library, which focus around making a measurable impact on the community, and providing excellent service to library patrons. He highlighted accomplishments the library has enjoyed over the past couple of months, including joining Missouri Evergreen, which allows for inter-library loans, becoming eligible for state funding and establishing a Community Services Department.  

Holladay shared what the library is giving back to the community, noting "Our promise is the work that we're doing every day. It's a clean facility. It's a robust collection. It's great customer service. That's the promise that we're going to give."

The immediate future of the library, according to Holladay, is changing. One of the biggest changes involves the new library that is currently in the planning stages.

"For a short time, we were thinking a large, destination-style library. That's probably some of the rumors you have heard," said Holladay. "At the last board meeting on Tuesday, we heard from financial planners, we heard from architects. What we're going to be doing is transitioning plans from a large building, to a smaller, community style library. Something that is more embedded into the community. There's lots of excitement about what we want to do—we just want to do it responsibly and meet the needs of the community."

Some of the factors leading to the decision, according to Holladay, were the lack of public transportation in the area, land availability, the cost of building and funding.  

Holladay spoke to the Friends of the Library about the importance that the group has in the continued success of the library. He acknowledged the changes that the Friends of the Library have experienced, as the library transitioned from a community library funded largely by the Friends' efforts to a public, tax-funded library district. He assured the Friends of the Library that their role as an organization remains vital.

"You are the advocates of the library. The Friends are the ones that put out those positive words," Holladay shared.  You're out there, actively working—   the volunteers in the bookstore and other areas to support the library, raising funds so that we can turn around and give back to the community." 

The Friends of the Library is made up of volunteers who advocate for the library and raise funds for special projects. The Friends of the Library operate the book store, located in the lower level of the Library Center of the Ozarks. Friends of the Library memberships begin at $25 per year. A donation of $250 or more annually gives you the designation of Champion. To become a Friend of the Library, visit the library website, lcozarks.com.