Meet Our Team - Marsha Meadows (Morton Public Library)

 

Marsha Meadows | Interim Branch Manager | Morton Public Library

Marsha is fairly new to CMRLS! She has been working at the Morton branch for seven months and is currently the Interim Branch Manager.

Here's more from Marsha:

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

I love helping our patrons find the information that they are looking for and seeing the children excited to get books to read.

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

"The tell-tale heart" by Edgar Allen Poe. I checked it out in the fifth grade to shock my teachers and ended up loving it. I guess I was the one that got shocked.

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

Rocket Languages. I am learning new languages and, here in Morton, it comes in handy to be bi-lingual. It's just great to have some help learning, and it's free!

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

Spend time with my family, garden, read, craft, and learn new hobbies. When I am not doing that, I am at my church.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

Sitting in the middle of nowhere by a river and a fire, with nothing but peace and quiet.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas! As much as I hate winter, I love all of the Christmas traditions and decorations my family and I have developed over the years.

Meet Our Team - David Muse (Flowood Public Library)

 

David Muse | Branch Manager | G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library

David has been a part of CMRLS for almost 12 years! 

Here's more from David:

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

I enjoy working with a highly motivated and dedicated team of librarians as we strive to make a difference solving simple and complex problems for patrons.

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

As a child, I enjoyed the Hardy Boys and any comic book I could get my hands on. I later moved on to Mack Bolan, The Executioner, and his War Against the Mafia by Don Pendleton.

I would later discover Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman, Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour, The Harbinger 2 by Jonathan Cahn, and Patriots by James Wesley, Rawles.

As a senior adult, I prefer reading books that are interesting yet practical.

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

Rocket Languages. I feel we should at least be familiar with a second language if not fluent. There have been days where I've needed to speak Spanish with someone who could not speak English.

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

Take a power nap and then work on odd jobs around the house. Stock up on supplies in preparation for the next global pandemic or catastrophe.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

A perfect vacation for me would be an adventure away from everyone and everything. I would fly to Seattle, WA, get on a Holland America Cruise Line, and travel to Alaska. I would enjoy socializing with interesting people, dining at the captain's table, attending lectures on interesting subjects, other than plate tectonics. I would explore the world of acupuncture, enjoy room service for breakfast, eat fresh tacos and hamburgers for lunch, enjoy a buffet for dinner, visit and enjoy the amenities of Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. I would wonder about the mysterious submarine following the ship or was that a whale? I would have dinner in a castle in the city of Victoria on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, then return to Seattle, WA, fly to Salt Lake City, UT, rent a car, drive to City of Rocks, ID located near the Middle of Nowhere gas station, and then head south to Cedar City, UT. I would visit Cedar Breaks, Kolob Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon National Parks. I would wonder about the mysterious shuttle bus full of European tourists following my turbo charged rental car, and return home knowing the world is safe for democracy. I would know in my heart that soon I would travel to the faraway island nation of Hawaii and complete my bucket list having visited all 50 states before turning 50.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Groundhog Day. A never-ending holiday if there ever was one. I used to live in the mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania where the wind was cold and the roads were covered in snow and ice. I would depend on Punxsutawney Phil as much as the weatherman for the local forecast and hope for an early spring.

Meet Our Team - Dewayne Hellums (Richland Public Library)

 

Dewayne Hellums | Branch Manager | Richland Public Library

Dewayne has been a part of CMRLS for 22 years! 

Here's more from Dewayne:

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

My favorite part of working in the library is that every day is something new. Learning is a lifelong challenge, and every day I learn something new from researching information for our patrons. It gives me great joy when a student comes back into the library and tells me they received an A on a project I helped them find the resources to complete. I love it when former story time kids start bringing their children to the library, so they can learn to love the library too!

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

The first books I checked out from the Pearl Library were "The Fire Cat" by Esther Averill and "The Little House" by Virginia Lee Burton. These books not only initiated my love for reading but also helped develop my love of small houses and the renovation of older homes.

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

Flipster is my favorite e-resource. I used to subscribe to home improvement magazines. Now that the library has Flipster, I am saving money and I don't have piles of magazines cluttering up my house!

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

I am just starting a new hobby. I am starting a rose garden and a daylily garden. Then, I can sit on my deck and look at all the pretty flowers.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

My perfect vacation would be to rent a small cabin in the mountains, preferably next to a stream so I could relax and listen to the water flowing down the stream.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas is my favorite holiday, I love all the lights and holiday décor.

Meet Our Team - Dianne McLaurin (Forest Public Library)

 

Dianne McLaurin | Branch Manager | Forest Public Library

Dianne has been a part of CMRLS for 10 1/2 years. 

Here's more from Dianne:

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

Being part of a whole community is my favorite! No matter who they are, where they live, how much or how little they have, or what they believe, all demographics of the community are welcomed through the front door of the library.

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

When I was small, my grandmother read me a book entitled "The Little Mailman of Bayberry Lane" over and over until I knew the words by heart. I think that book set a trajectory for me to always include the uninvited, to recognize illustrations and words for their importance, and to cherish the memories of reading to and with others.

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

Learning Express Library. The e-resource offers practice tests for the GED, ACT, Praxis, ASVAB, CDL, TABE, EMT and more. Tutorials are also available for students and adults, from basic core skills to advanced career preparation. It's a great learning site!

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

I like to read, of course. I also like to empty-nest with my husband, exercise with friends, take pictures of special moments, and carve out some quiet time to recharge.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

Anywhere with family is my perfect vacation.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Labor Day in September -- the unofficial end of summer and fall (and college football) is on its way.

Meet Our Team - Olga Frikha (Richland Public Library)

 

Olga Frikha | Circulation Clerk | Richland Public Library

Olga has been a part of CMRLS for 5 months. Welcome to the CMRLS family, Olga! 

Here's more from Olga:

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

I enjoy craft nights, book displays, and signing together with kid's songs for Story Time.

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

Wizard of Oz. (translated into the Russian language) Wizard of Emerald City. I was 8-9 years old. As a child, once after watching one of the documentaries about the Russian royal family's relatives, and vassals, I learned that it was very prestigious to have your own library. Each owner had the seal of his name, and each book had a number, and there was the signature of the owner of the book. Books were also decorated with precious stones made of birch bark, leather, or other materials. Only men could be librarians at that time and had to know many languages and have a lot of knowledge.

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

World Book Online, (Mississippi) Driver’s Education Program Practice Tests, Freegal.

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

I like to travel, meet new people from different countries, and learn about their cultures. I enjoy free time outdoors with my kids and exploring nature around our neighboring states.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

Away from civilization with no phone, no relatives or family, on an uninhabited island with spa services on the beach...
P.S.: Maybe some Pina Colada or Mojito ;)

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Easter and New Year.

Meet Our Team - Jessica Howell (Forest Public Library)

 

Jessica "Tazzy" Howell | Circulation Clerk | Forest Public Library

Tazzy has been a part of CMRLS for a little more than a year! 

Here's more from Tazzy:

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

Honestly? My favorite part of working for the library has to be when our patrons are returning their books or films. It's an opportunity to engage and get to know our patrons a little bit more. I get some great recommendations out of it too!

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

In high school, I would often have my nose down in whatever I was reading and this was in large part thanks to my English teacher, Mrs. Sanders. She would always encourage me to read more and open myself up to the magic of books. She introduced me to the Unwind Dystology series and sensationalized my love for reading, especially in the sci-fi and horror genres!

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

Cloud Library!

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

When I'm not at the library, I love to world-build and create! You'll probably find me on a video game, drawing, or playing Dungeons and Dragons with my friends.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

My idea of a perfect vacation is up in the mountains or woods! I love to explore, fish, hike, and learn about the intricacies of the natural world or my environment.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween! What's not to love about scary stories, haunted houses, and candy?

Meet Our Team - Marie Jordan (Pearl Public Library)

 

Marie Jordan | Youth Services Supervisor | Pearl Public Library

Marie has been a part of CMRLS for over 2 1/2 years! 

Here's more from Marie:

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

Working in the library enables me to use my creative side. I enjoy creating displays of our books, but the goal is not just to make it look good. The goal of a display is appealing to as many children as possible and catching their eyes in a way which makes them stop and not only scan the titles, but browse the books. If I’ve done that part of my job well, then hopefully they’ll check out a book or two and develop a love for reading. 😊

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

That’s a loaded question! There are so many. I adored reading when I was little. I would sit outside under my Daddy’s pecan tree and read for hours! My favorites were the Little House books, Caddie Woodlawn, and Nancy Drew mysteries. Even then I got creative. I would use sticks and rocks to build the characters and settings. I made a pretty impressive little house in the big woods!

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

My current favorite resource is our Learning Express Library. Not only does it have practice work and tests for students, it also gives information for college prep, college entrances, etc.
It is a gold mine for patrons - for free! 

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

Honestly, just spend time in my home and with my family. 

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

I hope one day to visit Italy with my husband. That would be a dream come true! 

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas. I love celebrating the birth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His blessings are abundant, and Christmas offers so many opportunities to celebrate my greatest blessing, my family.

Meet Our Team - Kathie Ward (Mendenhall & Harrisville Public Libraries)

 

Kathie Ward | Branch Manager | Mendenhall & Harrisville Public Libraries

Kathie has been a part of CMRLS for over 10 years! Kathie manages both the Mendenhall Library and our Harrisville branch.

Here's more from Kathie:

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

I would say it's the patrons. Whether it is story time with the little ones, the craft program with all ages, or playing bingo with the families, I love seeing the connections that the patrons make with each other.

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

There are so many but my all-time favorite would be Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. Reading that book as a young child made a lasting impact on me. It taught me that through hard work and dedication, you can achieve anything you put your mind to, and how to deal with losing something you hold dear to your heart.

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

Learning Express Library. It has so much to offer for patrons of all ages. There are tests, tutorials, and eBooks available for kids in Elementary level to Adult Core Skills. It is a great resource for our patrons!

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

I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. We cook big meals together, play games, and create memories to last a lifetime.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

A month in Ireland. I would love to visit the castles, spend time in the pubs listening to the music, and see all the beauty and wonder that Ireland has to offer.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween. I love the costumes! I loved trick or treating when I was a kid. Now, I enjoy dressing up and passing out candy to all the kids in my community!

Meet Our Team - Jessica Ward (Sandhill Pisgah Library)

 

Jessica Ward | Branch Manager | Sandhill Pisgah Library

Jessica has been a part of CMRLS for 6 years!

Here's more from Jessica:

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

I enjoy being around people and helping them. There is no better feeling than when you see that patron smiling back at you when you have been able to help them.

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

Black Beauty was always one of my all-time favorite books. I have always loved horses!

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

cloudLibrary! I feel there are many people that do not have access to a vehicle to physically come in to our libraries, but they love to read. If they knew more about cloudLibrary, they could still read.

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

I enjoy spending time with my family and fur babies. I love to be outdoors and to travel, as well.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

My perfect vacation is anywhere with my loved ones. It could be the mountains or the beach, because I love them both.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween. It is always fun to decorate for and candy is always a bonus!