Outreach and Programs Director Making Strides at the Library
Getting the community involved in activities at the Huntsville Public Library falls under the direction of Amanda Sturdivant, Outreach and Programs Coordinator. And she has spent the last year doing just that, increasing the number of programs held monthly with over 54,000 people crossing the threshold of the library since January 2024.
Sturdivant isn’t from Huntsville, but been in the area her entire life. She grew up and lives in Montgomery County with her husband. “My background is in Education, where I taught art for six years,” she said. “Before that, I taught various art lessons for 10 years. Art is my thing.” She married her high school sweetheart, Patrick, and have fur babies that she loves dearly.
“This is my first library job. I totally took a leap of faith leaving education,” Sturdivant said. “I did not have a plan, did not have a direction. I just had a lot of faith.”
She will be the first to say the past year has been a whirlwind, but says honestly that this is the happiest she’s ever been. “I am so proud of myself in what I’ve been able to contribute. I’m super confident in what I do and it’s a different passion than I ever thought I would have. I’m very thankful every day coming to work and I want to be here,” Sturdivant said.
She added that the community has been welcoming to her, with families that continue to be thankful for the activities.
“My job is rewarding, but that is what it feels like, you know, our hard work is being utilized and so like that’s nice. Our team is wonderful,” Sturdivant said. “They totally have adopted me. I’m the baby here and I’ve never experienced a kind of welcoming environment like that. It is like a family. I truly feel that way.”
And she has found new ways to love books in themselves. “I drive almost an hour, in the morning and then evening. I’ve started listening to audiobooks. I like listening to the book, but then having the physical book at home. I check them both out,” she said.
She is currently reading the Harry Potter series for the 10th time, she admits, smiling brightly. “I haven’t turned my brain off. And there are so many things coming in the future for the library that we are excited about implementing,” Sturdivant said. “There is a Makerspace coming.” She said that just being one year in, she is excited to continue to grow as a community, to meet more people, and make more connections with the community.
“We want them to know what we have to offer and be a stable resource in their life,” Sturdivant said. “We are more than books and computers. We have a lot of resources, programs and activities.”
Sturdivant is supported by her leader, Library Director Lisa Lance. Lance was named the director just before Sturdivant’s arrival through their employer Library Systems & Services.
“We are in a wonderful place. We’ve built a wonderful platform. But, there’s always more to do. There’s always ways to get better,” Lance said. “I want to help Amanda with the outreach. I want her going in the right directions to be the source of what this team needs and to supply Huntsville with all things Huntsville Public Library.”
Visit the library at 1219 13th Street, online at huntsvilletx.gov, or by calling 936-291-5472. Library cards are free to acquire with two forms of identification — a photo ID and dated bill with a matching name and current address. Cards expire every three years and are free to renew.
