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Lillie Crowe hopes to keep libraries growing and improving in the future
And last year some 69,637 visitors came to the three libraries for which she is now responsible - not only the Mary Willis Library in Washington, but the Taliaferro County Library, and the Thomson/ McDuffie County Library. Following retiring director Celeste Stover, she said, was a challenge. "But it's been wonderful - everybody has made a special effort to welcome me, and to help me." The seven employees of the library, especially, have made the transition easier. "They know everything about this library," she said. "If there's anything I need to know, there's always Jan or Judy, or one of the board members or one of the Friends of the Library to help me out - they've freely bestowed on me their knowledge." Having been the Director of the Twin Lakes Library System in Milledgeville for ten years, she knew Celeste Stover well, and knew the Mary Willis Library as the oldest free library in Georgia. "I had always enjoyed being around Celeste - she's so personable, so intelligent, and she taught me many things. When I heard Celeste was retiring, I was very interested." She was interviewed by board members and staff from all three libraries, and selected to be the next director. In addition to getting to know the library and staff in Washington, she travels every week to the other libraries in the system. "Suzan Harris in McDuffie County and Barbara Wolter in Taliaferro County have been very cordial, very helpful. They're fine librarians." To meet more people in Wilkes County, Crowe has been attending city council meetings, county commission and Board of Education meetings. She's a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a Kiwanian, and is becoming active with the local chapters of those organizations. Long-time residents of Port Armor - now Reynolds Landing - she and her husband Don are looking at building a Queen Anne cottage in Washington soon. Don Crowe is best known as the owner of Lake Oconee Golf, maker of custom golf clubs for customers around the world. Their children, Mindy and Brett, are married and have given Lillie the joy of her life - three grandchildren.
Her task now, she says, is to continue the growth and improvements that Celeste Stover started. "I work the desk here, just like Celeste did, and I want to hear all the suggestions and comments from library patrons - this is their library."
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