Morgan Hill Gains New Community Librarian

For Immediate Release
April 27, 2017

Heather Ann Geddes

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. –April 27, 2017 – After an extensive national search, the Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new community librarian for the Morgan Hill Library in Morgan Hill, Calif.    Over 30 candidates applied for this position with the final candidates completing an extremely competitive four stage application process that included oral boards and two rounds of interviews. During the nationwide search, specific qualities were looked for within the top applicants including: key leadership, management and interpersonal skills as well as the ability to support and promote the knowledge, ideas and cultural enrichment offered by the libraries. 

“Many exceptional and experienced librarians applied to become Community Librarian at the Santa Clara County Library District.  We are delighted to welcome, Heather Ann Geddes, to our team,” stated Nancy Howe, County Librarian.

Geddes, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Master of Library and Information Science degree (M.L.I.S.) from the University of Alberta, Canada, began as the new Morgan Hill Community Librarian February, 2017. Formerly with the Watsonville Public Library, Geddes served as the Principal Librarian for the Watsonville Public Library, overseeing the system-wide public service, including collection development and day to day management of the main library. Passionate about libraries and everything they have to offer, Geddes remains committed to shaping library policy that facilitates public access and removes roadblocks. 

A believer in building strong city and community partnerships, Heather brings to her new position many years of experience in working with local agencies and committees. “I am thrilled to be joining such a forward thinking, innovative organization. I’m honored to be part of a library team that provides Morgan Hill residents with high quality library services and look forward to developing partnerships and outreach programs that help meet the literary, educational, and recreational needs of our community,” commented Geddes.

In her previous position, Geddes served on the City of Watsonville’s negotiating committee, the Rotary Club of Freedom where she served as president, and is currently co-chair of the Monterey Bay Area Cooperative Library System (MOBAC) Reference Committee. Along with successfully implementing a popular baby lap time program, she has overseen numerous ambitious library projects including the digitization of over 100 years of local community newspapers, and a collaboration with “Digital Nest” and local high school students to produce documentary short films—a highlight of the Watsonville annual Film Festival.

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About the Santa Clara County Library District
The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) promotes knowledge, ideas, and cultural enrichment. Its collection includes more than 1.9 million books, videos, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, eBooks and extensive online resources accessible from home or work.

In 2014, SCCLD celebrated one hundred years of service to local residents. For the last several years, SCCLD has been consistently recognized as one of America’s Star Libraries by Library Journal. In 2016, SCCLD was ranked among the top ten large libraries in the United States in the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. In 2014 and 2015, SCCLD won Innovator Awards from the Urban Libraries Council.

The Santa Clara County Library District includes two bookmobiles, an online library, seven community libraries and one branch library serving Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Saratoga and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. In 2016, the Santa Clara County Library District had more than 270,000 library cardholders and welcomed 3.3 million visitors who borrowed 9.1 million items. 

Contact:
Nancy Howe/Chris Brown /Lili Smith
Santa Clara County Library District
(408) 293-2326 ext. 3001/3002/3014