Josh Haidet has assumed his duties as director of the Mid-Mississippi Regional Library System, succeeding Richard Greene, who recently retired following 42 years of service.
The regional system is comprised of 13 libraries in Attala, Leake, Winston, Montgomery and Holmes counties.
Haidet, 37, a native of Ohio, came to Kosciusko from Quitman where he spent the last six years as director of the East Mississippi Library System, which provides services to Clark and Jasper counties. He first moved to Mississippi after visiting relatives in the state, ultimately leading him to the library system in Quitman.
Haidet said getting to know the community is part of his job in addition to learning the expectations for his position in the system.
“I am learning the lay of the land and evaluating the staff, as well as the community,” he said.
Haidet completed his undergraduate study at Ohio State University, earning a degree in Political Science. He then earned a Master’s in English from the University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y. He also earned his Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of Southern Mississippi.
In the two months he has been at the Attala County Library, he spent time working with Greene, evaluating staff and working on the budget for the next fiscal year, as well as handling other regular duties managing the 13 system libraries.
Haidet said he hopes to continue to improve and upgrade services by adding more access to databases and listening to the patrons.
“We want to always listen to the patrons and learn what the library can do for them,” he said.
Preparing budgets and activities of the Summer Reading Program are providing a busy schedule for the newcomer.
“The staff has been very helpful taking pressure off me,” Haidet said. “I feel it an honor to be here in a good system and staff. I want to get involved in the community.”
