The City of Oak Ridge has named Julie Forkner as director of the Oak Ridge Public Library. Forkner was hired in 2016 as manager of library operations. She has served as acting library director for the last six months.
“Please join us in congratulating Julie on her new position,” a press release said.
Forkner is a graduate of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, receiving her master’s degree in library and information science in 2012. Prior to this, she obtained a master’s degree in English rhetoric and composition from UT-Chattanooga and a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from Warren Wilson College in North Carolina.
Forkner is a member of the American Library Association as well as the Public Library Association and the East Tennessee Library Association. She previously served as reference librarian, and later director, of the E.G. Fisher Public Library in Athens, Tennessee.
“I am looking forward to building on the strong tradition of excellent library service in Oak Ridge and bringing our library into the future with creative and innovative collaboration,†Forkner said of her new position.
Oak Ridge City Manager Mark Watson announced the decision to staff this week: “I am proud to make this appointment. I have observed Julie Forkner’s capacity as library director and am pleased with what I’ve seen. Julie promises an ability to modernize and improve the library while respecting its history. She has a high degree of concern for customer service and always works to meet the needs of the community.â€
The Oak Ridge Public Library circulated nearly 135,000 items last year and fielded more than 32,000 reference questions. Approximately 68 percent of Oak Ridge residents hold active library cards. Additional information is available online at www.orpl.org.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
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