Personnel committee forwards Emily Higdon to full board as Hendersonville library director candidate

The Sumner County Library Personnel Committee voted Thursday to forward Emily Higdon’s candidacy for Hendersonville library director to the full library board for consideration.

Committee members said Higdon’s local roots and experience in nonprofit fundraising and community outreach made her the stronger fit for the Hendersonville branch. The committee discussed both finalists at length and agreed the matter should move to the full board for final action.

Committee members described both finalists as having strong skill sets. The panel discussed that one finalist has military experience and demonstrated humility and leadership, while Higdon was described repeatedly as having deep ties to the Sumner County community and experience writing grants and doing public-facing outreach. Committee members said those qualities would help the Hendersonville branch strengthen community partnerships and present the library in civic and business forums.

A motion to forward Higdon’s name to the full library board for consideration was made and seconded; the committee announced the motion passed and characterized the vote as unanimous.

The committee did not make a final hire at the meeting. The forwarded nomination will be considered by the full Sumner County Library Board at a later meeting.