Library director turning the page in her career

By Staff
Search for replacement continues
Tracy B. Cieniewicz, Hartselle Enquirer
Wendy Congirrdo hopes the next director of Hartselle Public Library will enjoy the library and its patrons as much as she has over the last five years.
Congirrdo left her position as Hartselle's library director July 23 and started July 26 as the new library director of Gulf Shores Public Library. Congirrdo said she and her husband, Michael, who has a law practice in Hartselle, have often dreamed of retiring to the beach.
"I found the job opening and thought, 'What the heck,'" Congirrdo recalled. "And, what the heck, they hired me."
Congirrdo, a native of Jackson, Tenn., began her library career working in the school's library while attending the University of Tennessee at Martin. She was hired by Hartselle Public Library in 1998, replacing 32-year director Annette Byrd, and is currently pursuing her master's degree in library science.
"I have really enjoyed the people of Hartselle," Congirrdo said. "Everyone here at the library has been really friendly and willing to accept me after Mrs. Byrd left.
"The community is very involved with the library and they support it and use it. For all of this, I would like to say thank you."
Congirrdo also extended thanks to the library's board of trustees for playing such an active role in the success of the library and being generous with their time. She said local politicians, such as Sen. Tommy Ed Roberts, D-Ala., have also been generous with finding grant dollars, but Congirrdo hopes the city of Hartselle can someday be just as generous.
"The city needs to take notice of how the community supports and uses the library and support it in the future," Congirrdo said.
Applications for the library director opening were accepted through July 19. Congirrdo said response was good with more than 20 applications filed. She said the board hopes to have the position filled within the next few weeks.