CONTRIBUTED

Jesse Gibson became director of the Sandhill Regional Library System, encompassing Anson, Hoke, Montgomery, Moore and Richmond counties, on Aug. 1.

Gibson completed his undergraduate work at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, where he earned a bachelor's degree in history. He received his master's degree in library science from Appalachian State University.

He has been director of Richmond County Libraries since 2007.

"His accomplishments in staffing, programming and statistics for the Richmond libraries have been excellent," says a spokesman. "Children's programming has exceeded all previous years. He and his staff have created a monthly County Library Newsletter. He has presented workshops for the regional staff and hosted a tremendous historical event with children and adults attending from all over Richmond County experiencing the Civil War era with stories, period clothing and artifacts. Hundreds attended to hear, touch and feel the period. He and staff have re-arranged the interior of the library to promote enhanced service to the area."

In his new role of professional oversight for all the SRLS counties, Gibson will also offer programs in his areas of interest in history, the Civil War and genealogy, and nonfiction books.

"I look forward to invitations from you to speak to your civic and professional group," Gibson says. "Just call (910) 997-3388."

Gibson continues to embrace the vision of the Sandhill Regional Library System: to provide maximum visibility and accessibility to resources for a rural area through cooperative efforts.

"My vision is to provide and nurture a diverse, enlightened and enriched community, with the most accurate and up-to-date information possible," he says.

To accomplish this goal, Gibson wants to practice and include essential Library Core Values:

n Access - all information resources that are provided by the library, regardless of technology, format or methods of delivery, should be readily, equally and equitably accessible to all library users in our communities.

n Diversity - Our libraries should be a reflection of the communities we serve. We value our region's diversity and strive to reflect that diversity by providing a full spectrum of resources and services.

n Service - We will provide the highest level of service to all library users. We will strive for excellence in the profession by maintaining and enhancing our own knowledge and skills, by encouraging the professional development of co-workers. Libraries should embrace new emerging technologies, and not falter. We are part of the future if we continue to re-invent ourselves.

n Intellectual freedom - We will uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.

n Lifelong Learning - The Regional Library System will continue to promote the creation, maintenance, and enhancement of a learning society, and foster relationships between academic, government, and private entities, to ensure that our communities cooperate to provide lifelong learning services to all.