Brought To You By Your Rapides Parish Library
The Louisiana Library Association (LLA) held its annual conference and its centennial celebration at the Hilton Capitol Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on March 20-22, 2025. The awards ceremony was held on the evening of Friday, March 21, 2025. During the ceremony, Celise Reech-Harper, Director of the Rapides Parish Library was named as the Louisiana Library Association Public Library Director of the Year. This prestigious award is a commendation given annually when merited for a public library director who exemplifies the leadership, creativity and dedication necessary for excellence in the role of library director. Nominations are accepted from LLA members with supporting documents from others including community members given consideration. Selection criteria include growth and development of the library under the director’s leadership, leadership and creativity that inspires staff, patrons, and trustees; and excellence in service to their community.
According to the nomination letters submitted, Ms. Reech-Harper maintains a “servant leader posture” and is “not only a visionary but also a hands-on collaborator who inspires those around her to reach new heights.” One of her nominators stated that it “has become the norm for librarians (especially directors) across the state to reach out to Celise whenever they face a troubling or uncertain situation…” due to her willingness to offer empathy and well-sourced solutions. Her nominations referred to her dedication and deep love for the Central Louisiana community, especially her Rapides Parish Library colleagues, who she thanked profusely in her acceptance speech.
Ms. Reech-Harper became the Director of the Rapides Parish Library on January 2, 2020 after a dozen years of service to the Beauregard Parish Library as a youth programming coordinator, programming librarian, then associate director. In 2014, she was named LLA Public Librarian of the Year. She holds a Master of Science in Information & Library Science from the University of Tennessee and a Master of Arts in English from Northwestern State University. She completed her undergraduate degree at the Louisiana Scholars College at NSU. Currently, Ms. Reech-Harper volunteers with the Junior League of Alexandria, the Central Louisiana Homeless Coalition, PFLAG Supporting Central Louisiana, the Louisiana Library Association, and Be My Eyes, an app assisting visually impaired individuals.
During her acceptance speech, Ms. Reech-Harper expressed her appreciation for her family; her spouse of twenty years, John; her colleagues around Louisiana, especially those at Beauregard and Rapides Parish Libraries; her friends; fellow community volunteers; and the Louisiana Library Association and the staff of the State Library of Louisiana. She stated that her accomplishments and the successes of the Rapides Parish Library system are only possible with the support of her beloved community as well as the opportunities for knowledge and growth afforded by those she holds dear. She commended all Louisiana library directors and staff for facing challenges and serving all members of their communities to the best of their abilities every day.
