Library Center of the Ozarks, which became Taney County’s first publicly funded library last year, has named its first executive director. Earlier this month, Library Center of the Ozarks Board of Trustees voted to hire Essy Day to fill the library’s top role. Day has served as interim director since March, playing a vital part in the library’s historical transition from private to public this year.
“Essy has a long history of working in public libraries and her expertise has proven to be invaluable as we make our way through a process that hasn’t been done in decades in our state, which is the opening of a new public library,” said Library Center of the Ozarks Board Secretary Mindy Honey. “We couldn’t be more pleased to have Essy officially on our team.”
Day’s library career began about 25 years ago in Pennsylvania when she started as a volunteer before being hired as a part-time circulation assistant. From there, Day transitioned to a much larger library in Maryland where she gained experience in every department. Her first director position came in 2009 in Tennessee. She’s also served as library director in Henderson, KY, before moving to Waco, Texas, where she served as director of library services for nine years in a large, multi-branch library system.
“I had retired from Waco and was traveling through Branson with my husband, Carl, when I found out about the library director opportunity,” Day said. “I was intrigued by the job as I have never been part of a private library becoming a public library.” She recognized how vital the community’s support of the library was and decided to apply for the interim position, which was a six-month commitment. After four months with the library, she realized how much she not only missed working in a library, but how much she enjoyed working at Library Center of the Ozarks.
“Library Center of the Ozarks has an incredible potential to be a valuable resource and community hub,” Day said. “I’m excited and looking forward to the opportunity to be part of a growing public library.”
Library Center of the Ozarks, which is located in the former Taneyhills Community Library building in downtown Branson, officially opened as a public library in January of this year. Residents of Branson and Hollister school districts approved the tax levy, creating the library district in August 2023. Library Center of the Ozarks is located at 200 S. 4th Street and offers a growing range of services and resources for the community.