Mrs Ellison, who started in the role left by retired manager Debbie Duncan last Labour Weekend, has strong local roots and a long career in libraries.
“I’m originally from Karitane, live in West Otago and work in South Otago ... I’m an Otago girl,” she said.
After finishing at East Otago High School, she completed an English degree at the University of Otago before spending 20 years in Wellington.
Her similar role was at the Parliamentary Library, where she worked for six years and studied part-time to complete a master’s degree in library and information studies.
Most recently, Mrs Ellison was team leader at Tapanui Community Library, meaning she was already well known among staff before stepping into the district-wide role.
Clutha’s libraries have recently been brought under the district council’s Community Services Department, alongside pools, community development, freedom camping and visitor information, reporting to community services group manager Mike Goldsmith.
The district library network includes branches in Balclutha, Milton, Owaka, Lawrence and Tapanui, with about 20 library staff.
Looking ahead, Mrs Ellison said promotion and visibility were key priorities.
“We have all these great programmes and things happening, so we have to make sure people know about them,” she said.
An upcoming example will be a February programme to help clubs and incorporated societies update their constitutions to stay viable before an April deadline.
“It’s about connecting people to the information that they need, to solve their problems’’ Mrs Ellison said, ‘‘We are gate-openers.
‘‘Librarians in general just love helping people, and Clutha has great librarians.’’
