Branch and Title: Florence Library, Youth Services Coordinator
Work History: 35 years of Services
Favorite Book or Genre: I love so many types of books and authors, I truly can't pick just one.
What is your favorite event or type of event to host at the library, and why?
My favorite event is the National Library Week Celebration when we host an author visit for the schools and the library, combining outreach and library interest. We invite a popular middle grade author to do assemblies at a couple of local schools and have a culminating event for the entire family here at the library. This is a great way to celebrate libraries when having children and teens meet an author because it brings the world of the book alive in a new way beyond the imagination. They get to learn about the author’s writing and creative process, and the journey of the author as they pursue their writing. The event encourages children and teens to write their own stories, and explore themselves creatively. Stories are powerful, and I want to empower children and families to share their own stories.
What’s the best concert you’ve ever been to?
Julie and I went to Atlanta to see Hugh Jackman in concert in July 2019. I love his musicals. The best part was when his scenes as Wolverine were projected on screen and he sang with the views as a background. I love his work in the X-Men movies as Wolverine. It was how I knew him first, and I appreciated that he included that in his tour. He is definitely one of my favorite actors and performers. An interesting tidbit is that we share the same birthday.
My other favorite concert is RuPaul’s Drag Race Werq the World Tour 2025 in Charlotte, NC. I went with my nephew David. We were celebrating my 65th birthday. We had so much fun. The Queens really outdid themselves.
Do you collect anything?
I was born in Molesworth Royal AFB in England. When my Dad was stationed back in England when I was an adult, I was able to go back for a visit and see where my first 6 months had been. While traveling, I saw these gorgeous thimbles that were fine bone china. I just fell in love with those thimbles. They are like a small story. I collected them from all my travels. I was able to get one with Queen Elizabeth and one with Prince Charles, Princess Diana, and Prince William. Now, family and friends get me thimbles on their travels. I have such a variety of types, from pewter, china, cloth, and wooden ones from all over the world. I even have one in the shape of a book. I have been collecting them for over 42 years. I also collect English Fine Bone China teacups and teapots. I just love them.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
I took Children’s Management in library school with Dr. Patricia Feehan. She would take us to meet other children’s managers in the state, and tour their departments so we could see the variety of what our State has to offer. One piece of advice given to me by Leslie Tetreauts, Children’s Department Manager at Richland County Library, that I still use to this day, is to hire staff more talented than you are in a variety of ways as it would bring more diversity and life to encourage a healthy environment. I have been very blessed to work with such creative staff over my career at the library.
