New Library Director Named For the Albany County Public Library

In a press release, The Albany County Public Library Board of Directors has announced that Rachel Crocker has been named the new library director. Crocker joined the Library staff in January 2018 and previously held the role of assistant library director. Crocker served as interim library director since May.

“Rachel [Crocker] has impressed me the last 18 months as an assistant and interim director,” ACPL Board Chairman, Scott Shoop, said in a statement. “She has the intelligence, leadership, and management skills to be very successful in this position.”

Officials add that Crocker has ample strategic planning and visioning experience, as well as sound knowledge of the three branches of Albany County Public Library and the Albany County community. Crocker has taken a lead on budget preparation and library operations during her time at ACPL. Her financial and organizational management skillset will be an asset to the library.

“Working with the ACPL staff over the last 18 months to serve the Albany County community has been such a pleasure, and I’m thrilled to take on this new role at the ACPL,” Crocker said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the staff, board, and community to continue the ACPL’s great work and to create a vision for how the library can best serve and adapt to the growth and changes in Albany County.”

Crocker graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wyoming and earned a Master’s degree from Denver University. She formerly worked for Kansas State University teaching library instruction classes, doing community outreach, and conducting reference on the Information Desk.

Crocker also worked at IREX, an international education nonprofit. She facilitated discussion and led planning to assist public libraries in eight countries. Crocker helped libraries develop initiatives that matched community needs. Crocker primarily worked in the Philippines and Nigeria for the project.