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The Troup-Harris Regional Library system has a new director, Kelly Ansley.

Ansley introduced herself to the public at the annual meeting of Friends of LaGrange Memorial Library on Thursday. Ansley officially started on May 5.

Originally from Atlanta, Ansley has a bachelor’s degree in History from Georgia State University and a master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Valdosta State University. Ansley previously worked as a library associate in the DeKalb County Public Library system, in reference and instruction at Southern Polytechnic State University, and as an instruction coordinator at Kennesaw State University. 

She has also served as the East Georgia State College Library and the LaGrange College Library.

Ansley said she was destined to be a librarian, getting her first taste of it in middle school. 

“I grew up in the Grant Park area, and from my earliest memories, libraries were a part of my life. My mom made sure that we went to the library multiple times a week, and I loved it,” Ansley said.

“Because we were there so much, they probably let me do some things that you wouldn’t normally get to do when you’re in middle school at a public library,” Ansley said, explaining that they basically let her volunteer. “They would let me show the books, and then I got to stamp the books. And I thought that was the coolest thing ever.”

Ansley got her first official library job when she applied with the DeKalb County Public Library system and was hired at the Chamblee Library branch.

“The moment I stepped into that building, I was like, this is where I want to be. I want to be surrounded by the people who want to find the books, and I want to be the person who gets to give them to them,” Ansley said.

“Libraries have always been such a special place for me, and really always felt like a home,” she said, even when she went off to college.

LaGrange feels like coming home, too, she said, explaining that she spent her summers here growing up, visiting family. She said she was shocked when she returned as the LaGrange College Library Director.

“Back then, Mansour’s was still there, and not the Marriott,” Ansley said. “I was like, ‘Where is Mansour’s?’ It was really just the revitalization that has happened in this area that has been so important to the community, to the future of Lagrange, and then to come full circle with the library.”

Ansley said she looks forward to continuing the partnership between public education and public libraries.

“I want to make sure that these students realize how important this space is. It’s a free, welcoming space in a time and place where you can’t just walk into a lot of places and run around in a really cool enclosed garden and play, pick up a book and just browse through it and then put it back,” Ansley said. “Even if you want to come and sit down and just take a minute to rest, those are all things that you’re welcome to do … What I’m trying to say is that the library is for everybody.”