Meet Our Team - Erica White (G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library - Flowood)

 

Erica White | Youth Services Supervisor | G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial  Library (Flowood)

Erica has been with CMRLS for 2 1/2 years. 

Here's more from Erica:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

Everything! This is the best job ever! I can truly say I love my job. I love building relationships with the people in our community, especially the children!

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

Honestly, I don't remember not reading books. I've always loved books! I was the kid who skipped recess to go to the library at school. I remember going to the library in Nashville during the summers when we visited my grandparents. I always thought they had the coolest summer programs at their library. I was always excited to complete their Summer Reading challenges.

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

I love reader advisory, so I enjoy using NoveList. I also love Storyline Online because who doesn't love getting read to?

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, crocheting, and knitting.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

I love any time that I'm spending time with family, even if it is simply gathered at the table playing games and laughing. It doesn't have to be "away on vacation" to make me happy!

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas! I love gathering with my family and celebrating the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

Meet Our Team - Holli Morris (Sebastopol Public Library)

Holli Morris | Branch Manager | Sebastopol Public Library

Holli has been with CMRLS for 1 year. 

Here's more from Holli:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

I love getting to know all the patrons and trying to help them in any way I can.

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

I love How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather. I love her writing. I started reading it and just got lost in the world of Salem. I could not put it down or read it fast enough. Salem has always been an interest of mine. 

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

I wish more people knew you have access to Ancestry with their library card. I love family history!

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

I enjoy spending time with my husband of 15 years and our 2 boys (14) and (7). We are also very active in our local Fire Department. I have a great group of friends that we do things with as well.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

I enjoy renting a cabin in the mountains and just relaxing with nature. I always feel such peace when we are there.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas! I love all the lights and family time that we get to spend together.

Meet Our Team - Reynaldo "J.R." Yabut (Headquarters)

 

Reynaldo "J.R." Yabut | Computer Technician | CMRLS Headquarters

J.R. has been with CMRLS for almost 3 years. 

Here's more from J.R.:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

Besides repairing computers in libraries, I also enjoy helping out during library renovations.

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

The four agreements. I find the messages in this book to be a valuable source of practical guidance for leading a happy and fulfilled life.

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

If you're looking for a site that provides a realistic view of what to expect when taking your tests at the DMV, this is definitely a really good option.
https://cmrls.driving-tests.org/mississippi/

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

I spend most of my time at home, where I enjoy spending quality time with my children. In addition to fixing anything that needs attention in our house, I also take care of household chores such as washing the dishes and doing the laundry and playing music to make cleaning more fun.

After finishing my tasks, I cook for my family and friends. Sometimes, I play online games and sing karaoke with my daughter to unwind.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

When it comes to the perfect getaway, nothing beats a beach vacation with my family, where we can unwind and bask in the beauty of the ocean. I really enjoy visiting white sand beaches, especially ones where I can engage in various activities such as parasailing, snorkeling, jet ski riding, and much more.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

I enjoy the Christmas holiday because it brings my family together. We have gathered in a house where we will enjoy all the delicious foods. The Christmas Party's main host has some awesome games that are suitable for both kids and adults. And to end the night, we'll be belting out tunes on the karaoke machine and hitting the dance floor.

Meet Our Team - Qua Evans (Forest Public Library)

 

Qua Evans | Circulation Supervisor | Forest Public Library

Qua has been with CMRLS for 3 years. 

Here's more from Qua:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

I like to see how the community gravitates towards the library. It's like a safe place for them.

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

The name of the book is The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. I read it in fifth grade and enjoyed the thrill this mystery novel gave me.

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

Flipster! *Flipster®, the next-gen digital newsstand now offers content across all of your favorite devices. Click here for help getting started with Flipster.

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

I enjoy spending time with my best friends and doing whatever activity we've planned. It's guaranteed to be a lot of laughs and fun.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

My ideal vacation would be somewhere quiet with cool weather. A place full of activities and serene places to relax.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween/Thanksgiving, mainly because of the weather.

Meet Our Team - Peggy Greene (G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library - Flowood)

Peggy Greene| Reference Clerk | G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library - Flowood

Peggy has been with CMRLS for 6 1/2 years. 

Here's more from Peggy:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

The best part of working in the library is meeting and serving our patrons.

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

Childcraft was created as a sort of encyclopedia for young children. With simple texts and illustrations, the volumes were designed to make learning fun. Each volume addressed different subjects, including literature — such as short stories, poetry, fairy tales and nursery rhymes — as well as mathematics and the sciences.

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

Test Prep Resources is amazing! It gives you practice for tests like the ACT and entrance exams for professional schools.

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

Reading of course! I also love traveling to see my grandkids, crafting, and quilting.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

Relaxing on an off the grid beach is the ideal vacation for me.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

New Years Day. It's a chance for everyone to reset and start over.

Meet Our Team - Barbara Gauthier (Magee Public Library)

Barbara Gauthier | Circulation Clerk | Magee Public Library

Barbara has been with CMRLS for 8 years. 

Here's more from Barbara:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

My favorite part of working in the library is the challenge of decorating. I love coming up with something new and out of the box. Our theme at Magee is "go big or go home!"

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

My favorite book that my mom bought me was Sleeping Beauty. I still have that worn-out book and I read it to my granddaughter, Olivia. To this day, I read romances from the light side to the steamy.

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

I wish more parents and teens knew about the free Driver's Ed Program online where you can take practice tests. The website is cmrls.driving-tests.org. It is a really good site to get a realistic view of what to expect when you take your tests at the DMV. The tests go from easy to hard. I tell our patrons, once you get at least 90% on the tests, you're ready for the DMV.

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

I love cooking for my family. Any time of the year, you can find me cooking some kind of cajun dish. Our favorite is gumbo!

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

I went on my first cruise in 2018. Ever since then, I have been addicted. This past summer I was able to take a cruise to Alaska which was on my bucket list. In October 2024, I will be going to the Bahamas!

6. What is your favorite holiday?

My favorite holiday is Christmas. It was my mom's favorite time of the year. It was not the gifts we received, it was spending the time decorating the Christmas tree and visiting with family.

Meet Our Team - Susan Cobb (Raleigh Public Library)

 

Susan Cobb | Branch Manager | Floyd J. Robinson Memorial (Raleigh) Library

Susan has been with CMRLS for 17 years. Susan started out part-time with CMRLS many years ago and has since became the Branch Manager at Raleigh. She has also worked at our Mize and Mendenhall branches. 

Here's more from Susan:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

My favorite part is my patrons. They always make me smile.

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

I enjoyed reading Grace Livingston Hill when I was young.
I couldn't wait to go to the Magee Library to get another book.

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

I wish they knew more about Flipster. Flipster provides lots of great magazines for free! All you need is your library card.

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

My favorite thing is to go to bookstores.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

My idea of the perfect vacation is sitting in the sun, relaxing, and reading.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

My favorite holiday is Veterans Day.

Meet Our Team - Amy Lee (Brandon Public Library)

Amy Lee | Branch Manager | Brandon Public Library

Amy has been with CMRLS for 8 years. Amy loves her library and community...and Christmas!  

Here's more from Amy:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

The people I get to interact/work with and see every day. I love getting to meet new faces (and see familiar ones), as well as hear their stories from all walks of life.

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

My mom and dad always read to me as a child, so I was introduced to books at a very young age. However, one special moment of my childhood stands out. When I was about 4 years old, my aunt gave me a book for Christmas. It was “The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats. She took the time to read it to me, snuggled together on my grandmother’s couch. To this day, that book is one of my top favorites!

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

Goodreads - it’s a fun way to keep track of your reads and create custom reading lists, as well as see what your friends are reading. It gives you a chance to follow your favorite authors and see book reviews of all reads, old or new. It’s like social media designed just for your books!

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

Traveling, cooking, dancing, watching movies and Netflix, listening to music, swimming, shopping, writing in my journal, napping, and reading.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

It really doesn’t matter where I go, but my idea of a perfect vacation is being with those that mean the most to you, having fun, and making memories together.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

Meet Our Team - Zoerean Neal (Florence Public Library)

 

Zoerean Neal | Circulation Clerk | Florence Public Library

Zoerean has been with CMRLS for 13 years. She is an asset to the Florence Public Library and has been donned "Queen of the Copier" by Florence Library's Branch Manager, Kimberly Ollison, who says that Zoerean can work magic with the copier.

Here's more from Zoerean:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

My favorite part of working in the library is helping kids who do not like to read. It is very satisfying when a reluctant readers suddenly find a series of books that speaks to them and sparks their interests in wanting to read more on that topic or genre.

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

I fell in love with reading when I was in high school. During my free time, I started working in the library, before that time I had never had great access to books. I started reading a series of books by the author Emily Loring, and that began my adventure of loving to read books in a series. Which I still love to do to this day!

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

One e-resource that I wish more people knew about is the Rocket Languages for Libraries. There are several language that you can learn including American Sign Language. I am currently learning ASL, American Sign Language. This has been a valuable and free resource that is available through our library system.

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

When I am not working at the library, I love being involved in community service activities through my church and sorority.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

My idea of the perfect vacation is visiting various cities and exploring the rich cultures of their community; and just relaxing and reading good books.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

My favorite holiday is Christmas!

Meet Our Team - Selena Swink (Lake Public Library)

 Selena Swink | Branch Manager | Lake Public Library

Selena has been with CMRLS for 26 years as the Branch Manager at Lake Public Library. Selena loves her library, her community, and basically loves life! 

Here's more from Selena:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

Being a part of the community I have had the joy of growing in the past 26 years.

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

I don't ever remember not liking to read. I do remember that when I started to put the letters and words together as a child, I felt like I had learned a new language and I was so excited. I read everything I touched. Nothing has changed really except the amount of things I touch.

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

Novelist Plus. It is an amazing source for finding your next book and it is connected to our card catalog so that you can put your finds on hold immediately.

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

Of course, spending time with my husband and I love to knit, crochet, and try just about any kind of craft. I also love my fur and feather babies, especially since my human baby is grown and married. If I am sitting at home, there is usually a cat on my lap.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

Some place quiet where I can enjoy nature and have a little time to read.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

One that falls on Monday, so I can have a long weekend off.