“What in the world would we do without our libraries?”
Katharine Hepburn
Great question, Katharine. But we’re going to take it a step further and ask: what would we do without our librarians?
Jefferson County Public Library System is fortunate to have staff members who are passionate about books, libraries, the community, and more! Let us introduce you to our library directors. They carry many responsibilities including but not limited to managing services, overseeing staff, coordinating with patrons, organizing programming, and working to improve the library facilities and overall.
Bethany Jones
Director of Dandridge Memorial Library
Born and raised in Pike County KY, Bethany has always enjoyed the Smoky Mountains. She loved vacationing here growing up, and in 2011 decided to make this area her home. Bethany has been with Dandridge Memorial Library since 2014 and became director of the library in 2016. She received her Bachelor of Science in English/Communications from Union College in Kentucky, is a Tennessee State Certified Public Library Manager and is pursuing her Masters in Library Science from Emporia State University.
In her freetime, Bethany enjoys scrapbooking, writing, traveling and live music. She’s also an avid collector of Nancy Drew books and midcentury modern home décor. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband Glenn and their cats Hazel, Ellie and Chauncy.
David Phillips
Director of Jefferson City Public Library
David Phillips is an East Tennessee native. Originally from Sevierville, TN, he has lived and worked in the area his entire life. David graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.S. in Business Administration/Finance. He spent the first part of his career as a bank manager and loan officer in Knox and Sevier Counties. In 2010, he made a career change when he became the Branch Manager of King Family Library in Sevierville before transferring to run the Seymour Branch Library due to proximity to home. In February 2018, he was hired as the new director of Jefferson City Public Library. He’s thankful for his staff and community, such as patrons, city/county officials, the library board, and FOL who provide such great support and welcomed him into the library system.
When he’s not perusing the books of the library, you can find him fly fishing, woodworking, snow skiing, golfing, or enjoying most outdoor activities. Naturally, as a librarian, he does have a love for reading, music, and lifelong learning.
Donna Phillips
Director of Parrott-Wood Memorial Library
Donna grew up in Strawberry Plains, TN, and every day as she drives into work at Parrott-Wood Memorial, she gets a sense of coming back home. Donna graduated from Walters State Community College with an Associates Degree in Computer Science and also has her Certified Public Library Manager Certificate from Public Library Management Institute, State of TN. She has been with the Jefferson County Public Library System since 2000 and became the director at Parrott-Wood in 2014. She strives to provide the highest quality of services for her community and envisions the library as the heart of the Strawberry Plains, TN, community.
She currently lives in nearby Grainger County with her husband, Dwayne. She has three grown children and two grandchildren, with whom she enjoys spending time.
Sarah Beth Phillips
Director of White Pine Public Library
Sarah Beth is originally from right down the road in Hardin Valley, Tennessee. She has her Bachelor of Science in Organzitional Management from Tusculum College and has worked for the Jefferson County Public Library System since 2016. In 2019, Sarah Beth moved into the role of director for White Pine Public Library.
During her spare time, Sarah Beth enjoys writing, sewing, going to petting zoos, and-in a surprising twist of events-operating power tools and playing kazoo (rather poorly she adds).