Susie Lawrence

Although Susie Lawrence has a special fondness for public libraries, she has also worked in medical, special, and academic libraries.

After receiving her Associate Degree from Virginia Intermont College, she transferred to the University of Kentucky for her BA and MSLS Degrees.

Susie was the Director of the Jessamine Public Library for fifteen years, during which time she conducted a petition drive to raise the tax rate and led two construction projects. It was a period of tremendous growth. The library increased its square footage, collection, circulation, income, and staff many times. She then moved to the Lexington Public Library for ten years, retiring in 2017 as the Director of Library Services.

She has been a member of the American Library Association, the Kentucky Library Association, and the Kentucky Public Library Association. She served a term as KLA Board Secretary and served as KPLA Board Treasurer and Secretary. She chaired the KPLA Advocacy Committee for ten years. In 2002 she was presented KPLA’s Outstanding Public Library Service Award and in 2017 she was given the KLA James A. Nelson Library Advocate Award.

She currently serves on the Board of the Friends of Kentucky Libraries.