Marc Anthony said, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” Having worked over
48 years for the Rutherford County Library System (RCLS), Rita Shacklett, will be retiring the end of
February 2024. Ms. Shacklett has been with RCLS for since October 1975 and has served as the Director
of Libraries since December 2008.
Ms. Shacklett is a Murfreesboro native and attended story times at Linebaugh as a child. She is a
graduate of Central High School and received her B.A. degree from MTSU in English and History. She
graduated with her MLS degree from George Peabody College for Teachers. Upon graduation, she was
hired by RCLS’s second director, Briley Adcock, and has been with the system since that time starting as
a library clerk and moving on to cataloger, assistant director, and director.
After spending over half of her life and career with RCLS, Ms. Shacklett is looking forward to spending
time with her husband, children, and four granddaughters. She also plans to do some traveling and
knock a few things off her bucket list. “It’s with mixed emotions that I make this decision, but it’s time
to turn the reins over to someone else to take RCLS into the future,” said Ms. Shacklett.
Linebaugh Public Library is located at 105 W. Vine St. in Murfreesboro. Smyrna Public Library is located
at 400 Enon Springs Rd. West in Smyrna. Eagleville Bicentennial Public Library is located at 317 Hwy 99E
in Eagleville. MGL Library is located inside Patterson Park Community Center at 521 Mercury Blvd. in
Murfreesboro. The Technology Engagement Center is located at 306 Minerva Drive in Murfreesboro.
The Historical Research Center (HRC) is located at 435 Rice Street in Murfreesboro. Explore, Imagine,
Engage through RCLS. For more information, call 615-893-4131 or visit rclstn.org.
