The Williamsburg Regional Library has named its new director.
Betsy Fowler, the former director of library and research services for the City of Chesapeake, will begin her work at the Williamsburg Regional Library March 16, according to a library news release.
Fowler also recently served as the coordinator of branch services for the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, which covers the City of Fredericksburg and the surrounding counties, the release said.
She previously worked as a library advocate, library administrator, and library consultant for over three decades, the release said. She headed the renovation, design and construction of over a dozen library facilities in Virginia.
She earned her Master of Science degree in library science from the Catholic University of America
The release said Fowler received the Public Relations Award and the Staff Person of the Year Award from the Virginia Library Directors as well as the City of Chesapeake’s City Manager’s Award. She also earned a congressional earmark for public library workforce development.
The WRL board appointed a five-person subcommittee to work with James City County human resources to find a new director in mid-2016. The subcommittee included two members from James City County, two from the City of Williamsburg and one from York County.
Fowler will replace Genevieve Owens, a former assistant director who was appointed executive director in February 2014.
Janet Crowther, the library’s assistant director, was appointed interim director July 12, and will serve until Fowler takes over March 16.
Williamsburg Regional Library consists of the James City County Library, the Stryker Center, and the Williamsburg Library and serves more than 85,000 people in the City of Williamsburg, James City County, and York County.
WYDaily archives were used in this article.
