Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga news
The Autauga Prattville Library Board has officially hired a full-time director. Former Interim Director Tammy Bear has been appointed to the position as director of the Prattville Autauga Public Library.
Bear has been serving as interim director since the firing of former director Andrew Foster last March. Bear has assimilated into the role and chairman of the Library Board Ray Boles stated that he is excited about the appointment of Bear going forward.
Bear stated that she felt humbled, honored and also excited when the board came to her earlier this week with the news.
“We’re here for the patrons. We’re here for the community. We’re here for the municipalities. We’re here for the schools, the senior centers, all of that. That’s what the library is here for, and I’m looking forward to working with each of those institutions,” Bear said.
Going forward Bear stated that one of her first priorities as director is getting the library back open to patrons as soon as possible and as safe as possible, amid the structural issues the library building is facing.
“It really breaks my heart. At the Harvest Hoopla event there were kids running up to me I haven’t seen in months and that was wonderful. But right now, getting the library back open, being there for people who need it, and getting those programs back and started again is a priority. Call your city councilman, your county commissioner and the mayor’s office. Ask them about the building because we have no control over it, and it’s in their hands,” Bear said.
Bear stated that she has always loved being in the library, and even started volunteering in her local library growing up as young as 12. She has continued to work in libraries all through high school and college, where she obtained a degree in education and worked in the school system for many years.
“I have been a part of a library since I was 12 years old, and I have had a lot of experience in a library. My major in college was education and I was a teacher. But I’m just very thankful for this community and the way so many have opened their arms to me,” Bear said.
During the public comment portions of library board meetings, constituents have questioned Bear’s librarianship background during her former interim director position. Bear stated when the library is back open, even though she has a vast history of library management, it’s on her agenda to further her education in librarianship now that she has the director position,
