The Cornelia Library has welcomed two new staff members. Josh Smith has assumed the position as Manager of the Library, and Tiffani Arriaga has assumed the position of Children’s Coordinator.
Josh Smith comes to the library with past experience as the Head Librarian at Black Forest Academy in Kandern, Germany. He has a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in Professional Writing and Mass Communication from North Georgia College and State University, now the University of North Georgia. Josh’s wife serves in Habersham County as a teacher.
Smith is very excited to be in Cornelia and back to work in a library again. He explains, “Ever since returning to the US, I have wanted to work in a library again and I am very lucky to land in one that is so well established within the community and has so much potential for growth.” Smith hopes to expand the library’s reputation as a hub of knowledge and resources while branching out into new areas. His first goal is to drive interest in the library to groups that don’t normally step through the doors, such as high school and middle school students, college and young adults, and the minority communities in Cornelia. He emphasizes, “The library is for everyone and has things to offer to all. I hope that we can become a place that people don’t just visit because it is useful, but a place that people are excited to visit.”
Tiffani Arriaga is a mother of three with a passion for working with children. She has served as a Special Education Paraprofessional for four years and is pursuing her degree at Piedmont College to become an educator. Arriaga explains, “When this position came up, I thought it would be a great opportunity to work with children and be a part of this amazing community.” Despite the challenges brought on by COVID-19, Arriaga plans to make sure children have access to books and reading. She wants to remind parents and grandparents that story-time meets every Tuesday at 10:30am and 4:00pm. COVID restrictions require signing up in advance.
