The board of trustees at the Pine River Library has chosen a former state library consultant and published author to be the new library director.

Shelley Walchak was hired following a unanimous vote by the board of trustees, according to Judy London, the board president "We have followed Shelley's career over the past few years, so when we were faced with an opening at the Pine River Library, we jumped on the chance to hire her."

Walchak will replace Amy Dodson, who announced her resignation in September.

As a former senior consultant to public libraries in Colorado, Walchak spent four years working with libraries throughout the state, including the Pine River Library. Prior to that, she served as the continuing education director with the Colorado Library Consortium. Walchak also worked at Fort Lewis College from 2001-2005.

This past year, Walchak documented her journey throughout the West, fly fishing 52 different rivers. Her experience was captured in her first published work, 52 Rivers: A Woman's Fly-Fishing Journey, due out later this year.

"I am thankful for my past experiences within the library profession that seem to have led me towards this position at Pine River Library," says Walchak. "It's great to return to southwest Colorado and work with the talented and hard-working staff and board, who have already accomplished great things including a beautiful facility, a community garden and national recognition. It will be a challenge keeping up with this group."

It's been a banner year for the Pine River Library. The library earned the "2014 Best Small Library in America" award, as voted by Library Journal and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. And Colorado Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia proclaimed May 20, 2014 as "Pine River Library Day."

Walchak has already started working at the library on a part-time basis. She will officially take over as library director in mid-November.