THOMASVILLE- The Thomas County Public Library System welcomed their new director Derek Kolb this past week.

A native of New York, Kolb graduated from St. John Fisher College in Rochester with a BS in Management of Information Systems, before receiving his Master’s in Library and Information Science degree from Valdosta State University.

Upon graduating, Kolb has been at the helm of several large, public libraries in Georgia and Florida, including the Live Oak Library system in Savannah, Georgia nd the Palm Beach Library System in Palm Beach, Florida.

“I spent nearly five years at the Live Oak Public Libraries,” he said. “Savannah and Like Oak was a very unique experience, which is what led me to the Palm Beach Library System.”

Both libraries boasted numerous libraries within the system.

“Live Oak was 16 libraries across three counties,” he said. “It was a regional library system. Palm Beach County had 17 libraries, soon to be 19. We just finished two renovations of fairly large libraries.”

Having helped with the renovation of two larger libraries, Kolb seemed like the ideal candidate to take on the task of renovating the Thomas County Public Library main branch.

It didn’t take long to sell Kolb on the idea of joining the TCPLS either, as he said it reminded him a lot of his hometown.

“When I came for the interview, I said this reminds me of home,” he recalled. “I’m from a small town outside Rochester and after the interview, I had to call my parents and tell them this reminds me of growing up. Everybody waves at each other and it’s a really friendly place.”

Kolb said he felt it was a special opportunity when he was offered the job, and couldn’t turn it down after meeting the staff and Board of Trustees.

Both the staff and Board briefed Kolb on the lengthy reconsideration of materials process they are currently undergoing, as they prepare for their own renovation.

Kolb said he has already read over the collection policy and materials request, and sees them as the checks and balance of the library.

“The goal of the library system is to meet the needs of the community,” he said. “It’s a collaboration, because communities evolve and so a library has to evolve to support the community. It’s constant collaboration, communication and working together to identify those needs.”

Kolb said his goal moving forward in his new position is to try and stay on the same page as the patrons and meet the community’s needs.

The current needs of the community will play a large role in the renovation process, according to Kolb.

“The renovation project is all about the community, understanding their needs and updating the library to meet those needs,” he explained. “For the next little bit, I have a lot of material to go through with the plans, and ensuring that they meet the needs of the community across the board.”

While Kolb has a lot of ideas he would like to share with staff and patrons for possible new activities and clubs, he said he would also like to wait on these and see what the community needs before trying to implement ideas that worked at past libraries.

“The best part about this library is that it’s really well thought out,” he said. “I’m very pleased with the flow of the environment and everything that is going on. In my experience, when I look at these headquarters, it’s one of the best I’ve seen.”

Having the library’s headquarters right in the heart of downtown Thomasville was a huge factor for Kolb, explaining libraries are all about access.

“This is the perfect location for a headquarters and how it meets the community’s needs,” he said. “I’m just so pleased with that.”

Having the headquarters downtown and it being such a beacon in the community, Kolb said he hopes to minimize any closures when it comes time for the renovation.

“Because everyone loves the library, we want to make it accessible as possible,” he said. “As we proceed, I want to minimize any closures that take place here.”

As the renovation moves forward, Kolb hopes to meet more individuals in the community and hear about their needs and how the library can best serve them and their family.

“I’m always accessible,” he said. “I’m someone who really enjoys helping the community and seeing how libraries enhance member’s lives.”

Kolb concluded by reminding everyone that the library is the “oasis of opportunity and a welcoming place for all who need it.”