Piedmont Library looking for new director

“My last day at Piedmont will be on Nov. 19,” he said. “I’ll start my position as the assistant state librarian for library development on Nov. 29.”

In his new role with the Georgia Public Library Service, Harkness will oversee training, youth services, resource sharing, services for the blind and physically disabled, strategic planning and board development.

He chose his new position over another possible regional directorship for which he was one of three finalists chosen in a nationwide search. That position was in the St. Charles City-County Library District in Missouri, and he withdrew his application last week.

Harkness has been director of the Piedmont Regional Library System for almost four years. The region includes libraries in Banks, Barrow and Jackson counties.

A search committee is advertising for a new regional director. The position requires a master’s degree in library science, state certification, and five years of progressively responsible professional and supervisory experience, according to the job posting.