Amid a variety of changes in programming and guidelines, Monica Clark has taken the reins at Fannin County Public Library as the new branch manger and implemented several changes to allow the library to continue serving patrons during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clark said, “My goal is to make sure that we are always serving the patrons in our community, because we serve the public. That is the number one and foremost goal.”
Clark came to the Fannin County Public Library from her previous position as the Youth Services Specialist at the Gilmer County Library, where she handled programming for teens and children of all ages, was responsible for outreach within the community, worked on Gilmer’s Birth to Five literacy committee, worked in circulation and marketing and more.
Her love for literacy started early on, and she’s used that passion in her time working at libraries and as a teacher.
“My mom used to read to me when I was little, and I think the love of reading was really born out of that,” she said. “I was always one of those kids that literally had their nose in a book. I was the nerd that liked reading the books from the required reading list in school. So, there was always something about books that I connected with, whether it taught me something new or it changed my perspective on life, or it was just a comfort during difficult times. It’s something I’ve always gravitated to. When I was a child, I was like, ‘I want to be surrounded by books. I want to be a librarian or a teacher.’ And an artist on top of all that.”
She believes there’s a “strong correlation” between teaching and working in a library.
“We’re both trying to accomplish the goal of introducing literacy as soon as birth, even before,” she said. “It’s so important to get those kids used to hearing language, being exposed to word nutrition, describing, even to babies, in the grocery store, ‘Here’s an eggplant. Here’s an aubergine. Feel the texture.’ Talking to your kids, because the more you can get people interested in reading it affects every other aspect of their lives. And then, if you can get your community educated, then you have an educated workforce and it builds on that.”
Her goals for the library include providing more programming for all age groups, creating a more inviting atmosphere by refreshing the current library space and more.
“I would like to continue the community partnerships, but also grow them as well,” she added.
While the library continues to serve it’s patrons, she and her staff are looking forward to do the day the library can fully open back up to the community and offer more in-person programming again.
“My staff’s amazing,” she said. “They already care about their patrons. We just want to find ways that we can add more services, that we can help people.”