By Robert Taylor
The Patrick Heath Public Library will soon welcome its new director with the arrival of Natalie Shults in early June.
“We are more than excited to welcome Natalie as the new director of the library,” City Manager Ben Thatcher said. “She brings a wealth of invaluable experience in building community partnerships and programs that will serve library patrons well and help the City achieve its goal of building an exemplary Hill Country community with high quality, customer-focused services.”
Shults most recently served as the director of the Tye Preston Memorial Library in Canyon Lake, where she filled many roles to serve the library district. She takes great pride in supporting all patrons and meeting their unique needs with creative and thoughtful solutions.
While at the Tye Preston Memorial Library, Shults oversaw the development of a new strategic plan to guide the library’s future. Utilizing feedback from customers, staff, and volunteers and networking with community partners, she wove together a plan that built on the library’s strengths while identifying areas for growth.
Having lived in South Texas for nearly a decade, Shults was drawn to the Hill Country for its natural beauty and the City of Boerne for its commitment to the community.
“I want to be somewhere that understands how important history and roots are but does not discount that the ever-changing needs of the community are just as important,” Shults said. “I love that both of these are mentioned in the library and City master plans.”
Before Canyon Lake, Shults served as a virtual services librarian at the Schertz Public Library. In that role she was responsible for the management and implementation of the library’s full digital services and programming.
She earned her Master of Science in Library and Information Studies from Florida State University and an undergraduate degree in English from Florida Atlantic University.
The City of Boerne worked with Strategic Government Resources (SGR) to conduct a nationwide search for qualified candidates with a passion for public service and a proven ability to inspire and motivate. The City reviewed 18 candidates and narrowed the list to four for in-person interviews.
The Patrick Heath Public Library serves the residents of Boerne and Kendall County with access to materials, resources, technology, and a full range of services. Library staff provide unique and tailored programming for youth, young adults, and adults of all ages.
Shults will join the City of Boerne June 3 and fill the role vacated by the retirement of longtime Library Director Kelly Skovbjerg.
