The Highland Public Library has announced the appointment of Lisa Gill as its new director, following the retirement of longtime director Julie Dempsey, who led the library for 32 years.

Gill is a familiar face to library patrons, having started her career at Highland Public Library in 2008 as a library clerk. She was promoted to assistant director in 2023 and earned her Master of Science in Information and Library Science in May 2024.

With years of experience and a strong understanding of the library’s operations, Gill brings both continuity and fresh leadership to the role. She is known for her work in early childhood development and children’s programming, areas she plans to continue expanding.

“I’ve grown alongside this library for more than 15 years,” Gill said. “It’s an honor to step into this role and lead an institution that means so much to me and to our community. I look forward to continuing the work of fostering a welcoming, enriching environment for all”

Gill succeeds Dempsey, whose tenure was marked by decades of community service and commitment to literacy and learning.

The library board and staff have expressed excitement about Gill’s leadership and the future of the library under her direction.