Even though she’ll be working in Columbia, Union County Carnegie Library Director Nancy Rosenwald says she will continue her efforts to improve the library and the services it provides the people of Union County.

The Union County Carnegie Library Board of Trustees announced Wednesday afternoon Rosenwald was resigning to accept the appointment as the State Library’s Information Strategies Manager. In that position, Rosenwald will be responsible for managing Library Services, Technical Services and Talking Book Services and report directly to the man who appointed her, State Library Director David Goble. As Information Strategies Manager, Rosenwald will be instrumental in creating an information strategies approach for the State Library’s expanded Library Services area. She will also be central to the development of the agency’s Learning/Teaching concept.

Even though she’s resigning as Carnegie’s director, Rosenwald will continue to serve Union County as an advocate for rural libraries at the state level. Her vision is to create equitable funding for small libraries across the state, bringing their services inline with those of larger and wealthier counties.

"Our state cannot afford to continue ignoring educational gaps and the need for opportunities in counties like Union,” Rosenwald said. “I believe some of the issues South Carolina faces can be resolved with strong public libraries, especially in rural communities. We provide educational opportunities for all people from birth to old age and we’re absolutely vital to quality of life in every community.”

During her four years as Carnegie’s director, Rosenwald has developed a program that emphasizes exceptional customer service, quality resources, ongoing staff training and the use of technology for efficiency, problem solving and public access to information. This effort was recognized nationally earlier this year when Library Journal named Carnegie “Best Small Library in America 2009.”

Rosenwald said the decision to leave Carnegie for the State Library was a tough one.

“My four years here have been absolutely wonderful and I’ve enjoyed every minute of it,” she said. “The opportunity to work at the State Library came up and I struggled with the decision to leave. I feel like at this point the board and the staff really understand where they want this library to go. It’s a great opportunity for a new, fresh leader to step in.”

Rosenwald will begin work with the SC State Library on Dec. 1 while maintaining a presence at Carnegie two days a week to complete projects already under way. Her last day at Carnegie will be Dec. 18, the day before the library shuts down for two weeks due to budget constraints.

Even though she will be working in Columbia, Rosenwald said she will continue to live in Union County and remain involved with the community through volunteer activities

Library Board Chairman Jennifer Alexander praised Rosenwald for her service to the library and the community.

"The UCCL Trustees are grateful for the vision, dedication and progress during Mrs. Rosenwald’s tenure, she will be missed,” Alexander said. “We are also grateful to the community for their support, participation and investments in the Carnegie Library during these years.

“Union County has embraced the new library services with overwhelming patron use,” she continued. “It is our expectation that this momentum will continue and strengthen into the future. We are South Carolina’s first Carnegie Library and we are determined to continue as a leader in education, technology, and information services into the future."

Alexander said the board is working with the State Library to locate a new director.