Judy Pruitt – Get to know Jerseyville Public Library Director Judy Pruitt, whose journey from education to librarianship highlights the vibrant spirit of small-town leadership and community connection.
Judy Pruitt stepped into her role as Director of the Jerseyville Public Library in 2022 with a bit of hesitation—unsure how a close-knit community might respond to a newcomer. But she was quickly embraced. “Everybody knows everybody, and they’re very town proud!” she said. “Jerseyville is a vibrant and fun community to work in and it’s a great fit.”
With a background in both public and academic libraries, Judy considers librarianship her second career after leaving the field of education. Although she’s still learning the ropes, she feels fortunate to have landed a library role right out of library school. “Stepping out of expectations was a huge milestone,” she said.
Now leading a team of eight, Judy oversees a library that’s open seven days a week and buzzing with outreach and programming for all ages. “The library is part of what makes Jerseyville for them [the community],” she shared. One of the steepest learning curves has been navigating co-management with a board—something her previous experience didn’t prepare her for. “Fortunately, I have a great board to work with, and that’s made the learning process easier.”
Before officially taking over, Judy had the opportunity to overlap with the former director, who encouraged her to attend the ARSL Annual Conference in Chattanooga. That experience made a lasting impact. “I was surrounded by my people. They get me!” she said. Inspired by ARSL’s focus on small and rural libraries, Judy volunteered to serve on the Membership Committee, giving back to the community that welcomed her.
Outside of work, Judy turns to running for stress relief—“When life is stressful, I run even more!”—and enjoys cooking, family time, and doting on her dog, Quinn, who, according to Judy, “runs the household.”
Originally conducted by Juli Wald, ARSL Membership Committee (2023).Adapted for the ARSL Spotlight format in 2025 by ARSL Office.
