Michelle Hamrick, assistant director of operations at the Homewood Public Library, has been named the 2025 Librarian of the Year by the Jefferson County Public Library Association.

The award, presented during JCPLA Staff Day on Oct. 3, honors exceptional leadership, innovation and service across the county’s library system.

Since joining the Homewood Public Library in 2022, Hamrick has led key efforts to strengthen staff development, streamline onboarding, and support collaboration across departments. She introduced a structured training system for new employees — including detailed guides, glossaries, and timelines — and launched focus groups and cross-training opportunities that have helped unify the library’s team culture.

Hamrick also played a lead role in digitizing the library’s l

See Full Page