Verdenia Baker County Administrator 2015 - 2025

Honoring Verdenia C. Baker

With much appreciation and a touch of sadness, the Library System celebrates a true champion of literacy and learning, our retiring County Administrator Verdenia Baker.

Ms. Baker was destined to support libraries. In her early career she was the Budget Analyst for the Office of Fiscal and Budget Management. She reviewed the Library System’s budget during the tenure of Director Jerry Brownlee. During her years as Deputy Administrator and then County Administrator, she supported the Library’s strategic priorities and its budget. She attended the openings of new and renovated libraries, joined our many celebrations of expanded resources and offered advice to improve our Library services.

Some of the key initiatives Ms. Baker supported over her tenure include the move to fine-free borrowing along with fine forgiveness, which opened up opportunities for more people to use the Library. She signed off on the Summer Food Service partnership with the School District, along with our weekend meal kit program. As well, during Ms. Baker’s time in County Administration, she saw the Library reach out beyond its walls through a growing array of online resources including e-books, e-audiobooks and a wide range of informative online resources.

Perhaps Ms. Baker’s most important contribution was supporting the expansion of Library branches across a rapidly growing county.

As part of County Administration, she pushed to get Library bonds on the ballot in 2002 and subsequently approved by the voters. This led to our second major expansion program which added three new locations, replaced three old buildings with new ones and expanded three buildings. As Administrator, she was there to break ground and then cut the ribbon on the newest Library in our system, the Canyon Branch.

Outside of her role as Administrator, one of Ms. Baker’s favorite things to do was to take part in a storytime at a Library branch. She greatly enjoyed reading books to children. Seeing their eyes light up from a well told story, or dancing along to a silly song always brought joy to her heart. As a grandmother herself, Ms. Baker understands the importance of fostering a love of reading at an early age.

As her time as our County Administrator comes to a close, we thank Ms. Baker for her ongoing and steadfast support of our County Library System. Now that she will have more time on her hands, we remind Ms. Baker that her local County Library is only a short drive away. We congratulate her on a well-deserved retirement after a life lived in selfless public service.