Escambia Library Director Christal Bell-Rivera Submits Resignation

August 11, 2026

Escambia County Library Director Christal Bell-Rivera submitted her resignation on Monday without explanation.

Bell-Rivera’s last day on the job will be September 9.

In early March, the Escambia County Commission affirmed County Administrator Wes Moreno’s decision to hire Bell-Rivera as library services director, rejecting recommendations from the West Florida Library Board of Governance (BOG) that ranked two other candidates higher.

The administrator’s decision came under fire because Bell-Rivera did not meet minimum qualifications at the time because she lacked a master’s degree in library science. She has since received the degree.

She had been appointed interim director by Moreno after the retirement of Todd Humble in November 2025.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under FRONT TOP