Archdale’s new library branch manager makes shift

Ashley Rose (Courtesy photo)

ARCHDALE – Ashley Rose is the new branch manager of the Archdale Public Library and thankful for the opportunity.

“It’s a pretty rare occasion when one of these becomes open,” Rose said last week.

Rose replaces retired Matt Shaw, who finished at the end of 2023. He retired after 13 years.

“I had been training with Matt in December,” Rose said. “I already worked with the Randolph County Public Libraries, so it was a good transition.”

Rose came from the Asheboro Public Library, where she was primarily in the children’s room.

The Randolph County library system has seven locations.

Rose spent about a decade in public schools, first teaching language arts at the middle school level. She was at Southwestern Randolph Middle School and then at Uwharrie Charter Academy before time in Guilford County Schools.

She said always felt most connected with roles in public libraries. She earned a master’s degree in library science from Appalachian State in 2021. She did undergraduate work at UNC Pembroke.

The Archdale Public Library, which serves Archdale and Trinity, is about half the size of Asheboro’s facility, Rose said.

Rose said one of the county-wide library system’s goals is to add more programming throughout the year. As for Archdale, she said there are hopes to continue some modernization of the facility and enhance the computer area.

The Archdale Public Library is open from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays.