PORT HADLOCK — The Jefferson County Library District’s board of trustees has hired Annie Scott as its new director.

“I am incredibly excited to join the Jefferson County Library District,” Scott said in a press release. “I look forward to partnering with the dedicated staff and getting to know this vibrant community, working together to ensure the library continues thriving as an inclusive and essential community resource.”

Scott will begin on May 19. The library will publicly introduce Scott at a meet and greet from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. May 22 at its Port Hadlock location, 620 Cedar Ave.

“The Library’s Board and staff are excited to welcome Annie and look forward to her leadership,” said Vickie K. Norris, chair of the library’s board of trustees, in a press release.

Scott has a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Drexel University in Philadelphia and comes to the library with more than 20 years of experience in library leadership.

She is committed to responsible fiscal stewardship and transparent governance, the release said.

“Annie has extensive experience working well with library boards and trustees, managing budgets thoughtfully, and securing sustainable funding through grants and partnerships,” the district said in its release.

Before accepting the position at the Jefferson County Library, Scott was the executive director of the Nantucket Atheneum, a public library in Nantucket, Mass.

Scott expanded community programming, overcame administrative challenges, established employee housing and consistently achieved fundraising goals at the library, according to the release.

At Basalt Regional Library in Colorado, Scott guided strategic planning initiatives, increased latino staff and managed the library’s critical response to a devastating wildfire.

Earlier in her career, Scott led award-winning programming at New Port Richey Library in Florida.

Scott’s management style focuses on collaboration, inclusivity, staff empowerment and community engagement, according to the release.

“We are confident that (Scott) will strengthen our library’s vision, values, and mission of feeding minds and fueling dreams of our patrons and the larger Jefferson County community,” the release stated.

Scott was drawn to the library district because of the area’s natural beauty and vibrant community spirit, the release said.

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Reporter Elijah Sussman can be reached by email at elijah.sussman@sequimgazette.com