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Kari May, Jackson County’s new library services director, likes to forge connections. “I like to connect people, whether it’s to a book they’re looking for in the library, to a staff person to direct them or to another agency in our community that can help meet their needs,” she said. “I’m hoping that will be of value here.” May, who started her job Aug. 6, replaces Jamar Rahming, who held the position since late 2016. “I really believe in the special role that libraries play in the communities they serve, and I’m very excited for the new opportunities I’ll have working in Jackson County,” May said. May will be responsible for overseeing the planning and execution of library services for the 15-branch public library system, which has a service area with more than 200,000 residents. Susan Kiefer, library district board president, said May was the “unanimous first choice” for the role. “We’re quite thrilled to have her,” Kiefer said. “She brings a great wealth of experience and seems very excited about living in Southern Oregon.” May was previously assistant director of the Utah State Library, where she worked with the state librarian to oversee administration of library services across the state. Before that, she was director of Pines & Plains Libraries in Elbert County, Colorado, and held multiple positions at the High Plains Library District in Colorado. She said her prior experience “parallels strongly her work in Jackson County.” “I’ve gained a broad perspective of libraries of different sizes and in different locations that will be very valuable to my work here,” she said. May is the fourth director of the library system in four years, with the past three leaving for a variety of reasons, according Kiefer. Kim Wolfe worked as director for a short time before her retirement, Kiefer said. Tammy Westergard replaced Wolfe in June 2015 and left for family reasons in 2016. Rahming left earlier this year for a job in Delaware. “The honest fact is our staff was beginning to suffer from not having continuity in this directorship role, so we’re hoping Kari will bring continuity and be in the role for a while,” Kiefer said. In her first month, May said she’s visited each of the 15 branches and is “already looking for excuses to go to them all again.” Aside from her love of libraries, May said she was drawn to Jackson County for the outdoor activities and “chance to grow new relationships within communities here.” Reach Mail Tribune reporting intern Morgan Theophil at [email protected] or 541-776-4485. Follow her on Twitter @morgan_theophil.