New library director brings experience, ambition to Temple

New Temple Public Library Director Natalie McAdams joined the City in March with hopes of broadening the library’s goal to inform, entertain and empower residents.

McAdams brings more than a decade of public library experience to Temple as she previously worked for libraries in Brazoria County, Dallas and Plano. When the Temple position came open, McAdams began researching the City and soon saw that it would be a perfect fit.

“What I saw was a city that cared deeply about the community, its rich history, and creating a better life for residents and city staff,” McAdams said. “I knew that Temple was a place I could call home and raise a family, and now that I am here, I know it was the best decision I could have made.”

The library’s catalog consists of thousands of books, movies and music, but McAdams said the facility’s services go far beyond the materials available for checkout.

“Public Libraries are so much more than books. They are centers for technology innovation and discovery, community centers for local groups to socialize and connect, hubs for parents to meet and let their children socialize and learn, archives of information and artifacts, and institutions of social work and care in which library staff can connect residents with the organizations that can best serve them,” McAdams said. “From early literacy programs to classes on how to enroll in Medicare, the Library is an institution that serves its community through all stages and ages of their life.”

McAdams is settling in to her new role and looking forward to coordinating with other departments and organizations to provide resources for the community.

“More than anything I am looking forward to working with my coworkers in the Library and across the City to make the Library a vibrant hub of education and resources,” she said. “From partnering with other departments to put on events to working with state and national organizations to provide accurate medical information or resources for veterans, I hope to grow the Library into an institution of discovery and knowledge that the residents will be proud to call their own.”

McAdams and her staff have plans to implement additional programming and resources. The Summer Reading Program will return and the library plans to celebrate Earth Day by providing free seed starting kits for the community. She also wants to expand technology education resources the library offers.

“We hope to develop a technology and life-skills space for teens and new adults to utilize, and we have big plans for technology training and classes for the community,” McAdams said. “We are in the planning stages for all of these projects right now, but we hope the community will keep up with us on our Facebook page and website to learn more about the exciting things happening at their Temple Public Library.”

For more information about Temple Public Library programs or to sign up for a library card, visit templetx.gov/library.