Lisa Thompson — Assistant Branch Manager, Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library System, Floyd, Virginia & 2025 Equity Champion Award Recipient
Lisa Thompson has transformed her community library into a beacon of inclusion and support. As Assistant Branch Manager for the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library System in Floyd, Virginia, she exemplifies what it means to be an equity champion in rural library service.
"My community is made up of hippies, artists, and farmers. The library is the heart of the community," Lisa explains. Her approach reflects her personal philosophy: she doesn't see her library as small, but as "the largest library out there where she can do anything."
Lisa's commitment to equity stems from her own childhood experience, driving her innovative community partnerships and resource creation:
"Libraries were my sanctuary growing up in a world that wasn't always kind. I'd like to think we now offer that sanctuary to the people of my town."
Her proudest achievement is partnering with Floyd County's Recovery Court, ensuring all community members know the library belongs to them. She maintains regular contact with individuals in recovery, recently helping a young man in crisis find professional assistance. "He was in a pretty bad spot when I met him," she reflects. "He is doing great and continues to stay on his journey of sobriety."
Lisa also champions food security through the Floyd Free Fridge, which has distributed 40,000 pounds of food, helping to remove the stigma around food assistance. When Katherine Applegate's book "Wishtree" was cancelled by local schools, Lisa invited the author for a reading, promoting both intellectual freedom and accessibility.
As a 2021 ARSL Leadership Institute graduate, Lisa credits the organization with redirecting her career path: "Being part of ARSL has made me confident enough to fully immerse myself in being a librarian." She encourages others to "run with it" in Library Land.
Lisa never lets "no" stand in her way and consistently advocates for those who need it most, embodying the spirit of an equity champion every day.
Read More About the 2025 ARSL Award Recipients
Written by the ARSL Office
