John Halliday, Jefferson-Madison Regional Library

Where were you born (and raised, if different)?  

I was born and raised in New Jersey.

 

When and why did you move to the Charlottesville/Albemarle area?  

I came to become Library Director at JMRL.

 

What neighborhood do you live in now?  

I live in Fieldbrook, in Albemarle County.

 

Family (spouse, kids, etc.)?  

I have a wife, Peggy, four wonderful children, and one granddaughter.

 

What is your alma mater and when did you graduate? 

I graduated from Rutgers University in 1976.

 

What were you doing before you came to work as Library Director?  

I was Library Director north of Seattle, in Washington.

 

Your job title is Director of Jefferson-Madison Regional Libraries – what, in your own words, would you say you do?  

I work with the Library Board and staff; we try to provide the best public library services possible with available resources.

 

What is the best part of your job? The most difficult part?  

The best part is the thousands of great people who use JMRL. The most difficult is finding the financial resources to continually improve library facilities and open hours.

 

How does your job most directly impact the average person? 

Most people in central Virginia are JMRL cardholders; they know the library is important for their education and personal enrichment.

 

What is the most interesting project or work experience that you’ve had while with JMRL?  

The most interesting has been working with volunteers, JMRL and Albemarle County staff on the new Crozet Library. Everyone has been terrific to work with and the new library will be a beautiful and important educational resource for the community. It opens in September.

 

What is a little-known fact about you?  

I’ve written several novels for young readers including one, Gewitterfische, published in Germany.

 

What do you do outside of work hours – hobbies, etc.?  

I enjoy swimming…and reading.