The Jackson District Library has announced that Sara Tackett has been appointed as the new director of the library.
The Board of Trustees offered the position to Tackett on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016 after a two-stage interview process and she was among three candidates considered for the role.
“The JDL Board of Trustees is excited to begin working with our new director and to assist her in implementing her vision of the system moving forward,” said board president Darrell Durham.
After working for eight years for the Hunterdon County Library in Flemington, New Jersey as a Children’s Librarian, Tackett came to the Jackson District Library in 1998, first as the Coordinator of Youth Programs. She later became the Public Services Administrator and has been acting as interim director after Ishwar Laxminarayan left in January.
“As director I am looking forward to continuing to support the community of Jackson by working to provide a world class library service to all of our residents,” Tackett said.
During her time in Jackson she has helped plan the expansion of the Meijer Branch, developed a library at the Jackson County Youth Center and seen the youth outreach services expand. Tackett has also led Jackson Storyfest for 8 years and serves on the boards of the Community Action Agency and Jackson Great Start. She also is a member of Jackson Business and Professional Women.
Tackett has a Masters of Library Service from Rutgers University in New Jersey and a Bachelors of Anthropology from Indiana University. Tackett and her husband Mike’s family include daughters, Jessica, Betsy, Caroline and Dorothy, son-in-law Lance, a Corgi named Jersey and a black cat named Moonshine.
Tackett will replace Ishwar Laxminarayan who retired last month.