A Texas County native will begin duties in December as new director of the Texas County Library.
Audrey Barnhart was hired last month by the library board to replace Brenda Bates, who retired in September after holding the position for more than seven years.
A Plato High School graduate, Barnhart opened a CPA office in Houston in 1981 and was self-employed through 2005. She retired the following year.
“I’ve always enjoyed reading and the library,” Barnhart said. “I think it will be an interesting and challenging position.”
The library director oversees the main facility in Houston, as well as branches at Cabool, Licking and Summersville. Barnhart inherits a construction project of a new library atop the Houston Storm Shelter.