She replaces Priscilla Donovan, who had served as director since 2007 before leaving the position Nov. 1. Denise Galarraga has served as the interim director.
Parrish is moving from Michigan where she has worked as a director as well as a children's librarian. She has worked for Kent District Library, Clinton Township Public Library and Muskegon Area District Library, according to the release.
She received a Bachelor of Science from Grand Valley State University and a Master of Library and Information Science from Wayne State University.
As director, Parrish serves as an employee of Library Systems & Services, the city’s contracted service provider for library operations.
Leander Public Library received a lot of attention in 2019 after a drag queen story time event planned at the library was canceled in May, which prompted Open Cathedral Church in Leander to rent a space at the library to host a family pride festival and storytime. The event attracted hundreds of protestors and supporters.
In August, Leander City Council voted to end library room rentals and require background checks from outside presenters involved with programs geared toward children.
The library hosted a pride storytime event Oct. 12. It did not draw the same outside attention as the earlier event.
Twelve days later, Library Systems & Services announced that Donovan's last day would be Nov. 1.
