(Seguin) — The operation of the Seguin Public Library is officially in new hands. The city of Seguin is celebrating the promotion of two individuals while also recognizing the retirement of longtime Library Director Jacki Gross. Gross recently retired after serving the city facility for nearly 19 years.
On the heels of that retirement, Seguin City Manager Steve Parker announced that two familiar faces at the Seguin Public Library would be promoted to lead the library’s operations.
The first is Silvia Christy. Christy, who has served as assistant director, has been chosen as the new director of the Seguin Public Library.
Christy continues 24 plus years of experience in the library field.
Christy says she is excited for this opportunity and welcomes the chance to continue the groundwork left behind by Gross.
“It was bittersweet, of course, I’ve been working with Jacki for a long time so having her have her last day here was kind of sad but it’s also at the same time very exciting moving forward trying to plan for the community to bring a lot of things for both adults and youth services trying to make sure that we serve the community in the best way that we can – trying to review our technology – making sure we promote literacy just taking the library to the next level. I think we have a good place to start. Jacki set those bases for us. Now, we just have to keep on going and bring more and be sure that we stay on top of serving the community, finding what their needs are and ensuring that we are providing them with the tools they need,” said Christy.
Christy first began her career at the Seguin Public Library as a part-time library clerk. She was then promoted to Library Assistant/Records Management Coordinator in 2002, Reference Librarian/Records Management Officer in 2005 and then as Assistant Director in 2007.
The second promotion was awarded to Hannah Farmer who now serves as the new Assistant Library Director.
Farmer has spent the past eight years with the Seguin Public Library as the Youth Services
Librarian and was promoted to Youth Services Manager in 2021.
Christy says Seguin is also very lucky to have Farmer lead the operations over at the library. She says Farmer has worked hard to establish great partnerships throughout the community.
“She is awesome, and she brings a lot of new ideas and connections with the families that come to our story times and youth programs. She brings a lot of insight as to what the community is looking for for those young young minds. She has a relationship with some of the homeschooling groups here – connections with the schools and her praise are well known so we hope those connections move with her into her new role,” said Christy.
Farmer is also recognized for having recently been elected as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Texas Library Association Children’s Round Table Executive Committee.