Lisa M. Echols
Gainesville,GA
Summary
Dynamic Youth Services Director for a public library system serving the fifth largest metropolitan area in Georgia. Passionate about children's literacy and learning, I believe in the power of The Basics to transform lives and communities.
Excellent track record with community partnerships, engagement and strategic planning. Expert in relationship building and project management, enhancing library services through innovative in-house and outreach programs. Dedicated to using community-informed programming and collection development practices to best serve our diverse patrons.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Youth Services Director
Hall County Library System
11.2019 - Current
- Managing the program planning process, collection development, customer service and promotion of the Youth Services Department of HCLS, a single-county, five-branch library system.
- Develop initiatives to enhance library services for community engagement, such as the One Book, One Toy program, and the IMLS-funded Latino Community Conversations initiative.
- Expand outreach and establish partnerships with local organizations to collaboratively develop resources that meet the needs of our diverse population.
- Manage budgets effectively and assist with grant applications, ensuring appropriate allocation of resources for the youth library collection, programming and outreach services.
- Direct marketing strategies to increase awareness of library events and programs within the community.
- Develop a skilled and confident YS team members by cultivating a positive working environment which includes mentorship, open communication and opportunities for professional growth.
- Analyze patron usage data to identify trends, driving improvements in our collection, programs and services.
Youth Services Supervisor
Forsyth County Public Library - Post Road Branch
05.2013 - 11.2019
- Provided high quality library programming, reader's advisory, reference assistance and community outreach to the children, teens and parents in the busiest library system in the state of Georgia.
- Hired, trained and managed a staff of five youth librarians.
- Worked with the local school system to enhance our holdings to match school standards and reading lists.
- Managed a teen volunteer staff of 29 high school students.
Collection Development Librarian/Professor
Brenau University
08.2008 - 05.2013
- Purchased print and digital materials, as well as manipulatives and ephemerals, to support the research and resource needs of students and professors at a private, liberal arts university.
- Led collection assessments to align library resources with academic program needs and tailor budget allocation to the various disciplines.
- Developed collection policies to enhance resource accessibility and utilization.
- Collaborated with faculty to curate specialized collections supporting curriculum objectives.
- Developed and taught research and library usage courses to students on-ground as well as academic integrity and intellectual property courses for students in an asynchronous, online setting.
Young Adult Librarian/Branch Manager
Twin Lakes Library System
09.2001 - 08.2008
- Acted as YA Librarian for the three-branch system, developing the first young adult book and audiovisual collection for TLLS in 2002.
- Managed a small branch library in the system in a rural community with a staff of four people.
- Arranged and presented engaging programs for children and teens.
- Managed teen volunteers.
Writer/Editor
Around the Lakes Magazine
07.2000 - 01.2002
- Lead copywriter and editor of an area guide magazine. Also sold value-added advertising.
- Developed and wrote engaging content on a variety of topics related to local history, businesses and tourism. Assigned and edited articles and advertisements from freelance writers and graphic designers.
Education
Master of Library And Information Science - Children's And Youth Library Services
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC05-2005
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
University of Georgia
Athens, GA05-2000
Skills
- Community Connector
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Project management
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Team Building and Supervision
- Public Speaking
- Event Management
- Budget Management
- Program Assessment
Accomplishments
- The Hall County Library System is currently a nominee for the 2025 Georgia Public Library of the Year award. 2025
- Received the DAR Literacy Champion Award. 2024
- Published in Georgia Library Quarterly. 2024
- Partner with Hall County School System to provide free summer lunches each week for children from birth to aged 18 at all our library branches located in Title 1 districts. 2023 - Present
- Created and manage the 1,000 Books With Head Start reading challenge. Currently, over 700,000 books have been read to Head Start preschoolers due to this program. 2023 - Present
- Developed the One Book, One Toy initiative, a Basics-focused parent education workshop presented in a bilingual format to preschool families around Hall County. 2022 - Present
- Partner with District 2 Public Health for Move Your Way Day and free health screening for children and adults at the library. 2022 - Present
- Expanded the HCLS Books to Go and Outreach Summer Reading Programs to now include approximately 1,500 children from the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, Gainesville City Schools and more. 2021-2025
- Organized a Summer of Literacy program for Midway Elementary Title I Students that included storytimes, STEM activities, book checkout and lunch at the library. 2014 - 2018
- Completed the Disney Institute Disney's Approach to Quality Service training course. 2016
Affiliations
2005 - Present: American Library Association (ALA) Certified Librarian
2014-2018: Mentor Me North Georgia
2019 - Present: State of Georgia Professional Librarian Certification
2022 - Present: Ninth District Opportunity Head Start Policy Council
2023 - Present: United Way of Hall County, One Hall Education Committee
Timeline
Youth Services Director
Hall County Library System
11.2019 - Current
Youth Services Supervisor
Forsyth County Public Library - Post Road Branch
05.2013 - 11.2019
Collection Development Librarian/Professor
Brenau University
08.2008 - 05.2013
Young Adult Librarian/Branch Manager
Twin Lakes Library System
09.2001 - 08.2008
Writer/Editor
Around the Lakes Magazine
07.2000 - 01.2002
Master of Library And Information Science - Children's And Youth Library Services
University of South Carolina
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism
University of Georgia