Missouri: Kristen Sorth Named New Director of the St. Louis County Library

From SLCPL:

Kristen Sorth has been appointed Director of St. Louis County Library, effective immediately. Ms. Sorth has been serving as Interim Director since July 2013.
SLCL Board President, Dr. Lynn Beckwith stated, “Kristen has proven to be a very competent and astute administrator. Prior to becoming Interim Director she was the Assistant Director for Administration and organizationally second in charge of the Library District. While serving as Interim Director she has capably performed and has proven that she is up to the challenge of being Director of the St. Louis County Library District.”
Ms. Sorth has been with the Library District for 15 years, all of them in an administrative capacity. Before her appointment as Interim Director, Sorth served as Assistant Director of Administration, having been given that title in June 2012. In this role, Ms. Sorth oversaw SLCL’s administrative operations including human resources, building systems and facilities, finance, budgeting, procurement, transportation and security. Before being named Assistant Director, Ms. Sorth was the Senior Manager of Human Resources for SLCL.
Sorth has been leading the library’s building and expansion program since the passage of Prop L in November 2012. Phase I of the plan is currently underway with new buildings planned for the Tesson Ferry, Meramec Valley and Lewis & Clark branches. Additional information about Phase I projects will be available on the library’s website in the coming weeks.
Several new programming and service initiatives will launch under Sorth’s direction. A new system-wide preschool arts program called Budding Artists will start in January. Plans for streaming content (both video and music) are being developed and are expected to go live in 2014. Other plans include Sunday hours at additional branches, expanding community gardens to more locations, and an increased focus on early literacy and community outreach.
Sorth was selected to participate in FOCUS St. Louis’ 38th Leadership class, she also volunteers for several organizations including Gateway Greening, the Tilles Park Neighborhood Association and Kennard Classical Jr. Academy. Kristen and her family live in South St. Louis City. Kristen has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is a native of Jefferson City, Missouri.

See Also: St. Louis County Library Director Charles Pace Resigns, No Reason Provided (July 23, 2013)

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