DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — Chris Warren, director of the Dothan Houston County Library System, has been selected as one of seven coaches for the 2025 Public Library Association Leadership Academy, a national program that develops leadership skills for mid-career public librarians.
“This is a real honor for Chris and, by extension, our library,” DHCLS Board Chair Ashley Carroll said. “We’re fortunate that Chris has such extensive knowledge and experience, and it’s great that he’ll be able to share that with this next generation of library leaders.”
The four-day academy, first launched in 2013, provides interactive training and networking for librarians across the country. The curriculum emphasizes leadership styles, navigating challenges, and building resilient teams. Participants continue mentorship and collaboration with their coach and peers even after the in-person session ends.
Warren, who took part in the academy himself in 2015, is one of three alumni chosen to return as a coach in 2025. Coaches are selected based on professional experience and representation of libraries of different sizes and regions.
Warren has led DHCLS since September 2020 and has more than 20 years of library experience, including roles with Auburn Public Library, Chattahoochee Valley Libraries in Georgia, and Gwinnett County Public Library. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Georgia and a master’s degree in library science from Florida State University. He also serves on the Executive Council of the Alabama Library Association, as treasurer of the Public Library Directors Association of Alabama, and on the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
The DHCLS, established in 1949, serves more than 100,000 residents through its main library, two branches, bookmobile, and digital resources. In 2025, the system recorded nearly 295,000 visits and more than 205,000 items borrowed.
The PLA, founded in 1944, is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to public library professionals, serving nearly 9,000 members across the U.S. and Canada.
