Nancy Tillinghast - NYT Librarian of the Year 2006

Director

Thomas County Public Library System, Thomasville, Georgia

Nancy was nominated by Liz Crockett, who wrote: “I continue to be in awe of all that she does, not only for our library, but for our community as well.” She pointed out that since Nancy came to her present post, the Thomas County library system achieved the highest circulation per capita in Georgia. But not only is Nancy out among the stacks every day, fostering readership, she also organized a workshop to help nonprofits use the library’s Foundation Center, improving their ability to secure grants for vital public services. She extended access through branches in rural settings of the county, and helped establish a children’s library at an after-school center. Many credit Nancy for setting the kind of example that led the county to vote for a bill that included significant library support. And it’s the kind of example that deserves to be honored. Nancy Tillinghast.