2010 12 People You Need to Know: Regina Greer Cooper

The Springfield-Greene County Library District needs a new Bookmobile, and Executive Director Regina Greer Cooper is out to get one.

"Our current vehicle is nearly 20 years old, and we need $225,000 to replace it," says Cooper, the district's ninth director, who arrived in town New Year's Day 2009 and immediately took the helm.

Replacing the library on wheels - which delivers books for all ages, including best sellers and large-print books - is a goal Cooper identified in her first year succeeding 19-year director Annie Busch.

The new vehicle will be funded by the sale of the old Bookmobile and the Library Foundation, and Cooper is hoping for other generous donations from Springfield-area community members.

"I love working with the wonderful, professional staff, and I am so impressed with the respect that the community has for the library district," says Cooper, who was one of four finalists for the library's top post who were interviewed in a public, staff and board process.

Cooper is responsible for identifying, planning, organizing, executing and evaluating library services in the 10-branch district. She hires staff, develops short- and long-term plans, and provides expertise on finance, expansion, staff development, professional service and public relations.

Cooper knew her life's profession from a young age.

"I was one of those rare people who always knew I wanted to be a librarian," she says. "It's a very interesting profession and includes a lot more today with programs and technology. It's also a very helping profession where we get to make a difference."

Before coming to Springfield, she worked as associate director of the Huntsville-Madison County Public Library in Alabama for 28 years. She earned a master's degree in library science from the George Peabody College for Teachers, which is part of Vanderbilt University.

Along with the Bookmobile project, Cooper is focused on increasing overall library funding. The library, which has set a $16.5 million 2010 operating budget, has been affected by the economy just like area businesses in the community.

"This year, for the first time in several years, we have zero percent growth in our property tax receipts," Cooper says of the $9.4 million in 2008-09 tax revenues issued to the library. "The library has always been very innovative, but right now finances are holding us back. We are working with a very tight budget and we are trying to continue to offer the services we have and not work on anything extra. Hopefully, as soon as the economy turns around, that situation will improve."[[In-content Ad]]