Skip Auld named Durham library director

Hampton “Skip” Auld (MSLS ‘80) was appointed director of library services at Durham County Government’s main library and its seven branches on July 10, 2006. Auld, who has been involved in the library profession for more than 25 years, recently served as the assistant library director for Chesterfield County Public Library near Richmond, Va.

“Skip Auld is a seasoned library professional,” Durham County Manager Mike Ruffin said in a recent press release about the appointment. “He possesses a tremendous amount of ability and brings great enthusiasm to this new opportunity.”

Auld is responsible for leading the Durham County Library system as it strives to provide quality library services that are responsive to community needs.
“Durham is a great place to live and work!” said Auld. “I love working with our librarians and other library workers. I love meeting people throughout the Durham community. I’m taking time to learn the concerns and ideas of our staff and boards and getting ready to develop a strategic planning process to develop our key goals for the next few years. We already know that we’ll be designing and building more regional libraries and studying the best way to renovate or otherwise renew library service out of our Main Library.”

Auld added his personal vision statement, “I believe in the promise of libraries as the most vital places where people of all ages gather to freely pursue knowledge, information and enjoyment of life,” Auld said. “Libraries should provide innovative and traditional services at the greatest possible convenience to customers in the most cost-effective way.” He said he sees one of his primary roles as helping staff at all levels find ways to make library services innovative, vital, convenient and focused on the needs of the users.

Auld has also worked in the Carroll County Public Library system in Westminster, Md., Duke University Libraries and the Public Library of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. Along with his professional experience, he has been a member of the American Library Association and the Public Library Association.