With the director as the only full-time employee, the Vicksburg District Library has assembled a diverse team of librarians, clerks, and pages to serve the community’s information needs throughout the day. Each staff member brings own unique experience and skills to the job, from the librarians who plan programs and choose materials, to the circulation clerks who serve the patrons and maintain the materials, to the office manager who handles finances and human resources. Whether it’s a few hours working with patrons on the weekend or bringing story times and teen programs to fill each day, the Vicksburg Library staff work as a team to create a place of community and information access. Patrons can meet staff members here, or drop in at the library throughout the week.
John Sheridan, Library Director, has led the Vicksburg District Library for two years. He received his Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science from Wayne State University in 1995 and has certification in Archival Management as well. Before coming to Vicksburg, he worked at the St. Charles District Library as the director and the Public Libraries of Saginaw, Hoyt libraries Branch as head of the Genealogy and Local History Department. John has been known to refer to Vicksburg as “the friendliest town in Michigan.”He reads non-fiction, especially histories, and loves to listen to audiobooks.
Stephanie Willoughby, the Youth Services Librarian, is the newest employee at the Vicksburg District Library, starting work mid-February 2015. Stephanie is responsible for all programming and services for patrons ages 0 to 18, but her many years of experience working with children and raising her own three have made her up to the challenge. Stephanie is always brimming with great ideas and enthusiasm. She reads adult fiction and children’s literature, but is starting to delve into young adult literature now too.
Emily Franklin divides her time between clerking at the Vicksburg District Library and caring for children at a local day care. Emily, who has worked at the library for 3 years, is expecting her first little one in August. Emily is a voracious reader, and a great resource on young adult fiction, especially alternate reality fiction.
Linda Adams, Vicksburg Library’s office manager, has been keeping things running smoothly for almost exactly one year. Linda grew up in Lansing, then moved all around Michigan after her marriage until settling in Vicksburg fourteen years ago. She has one son, Michael, who is 19. Linda likes to read clean and cozy mysteries, especially those in a series.
Andrea Smalley began at the Vicksburg District Library as the Teen and Reference Librarian one year ago, and is now the Head of Circulation and Reference. She lives in Kalamazoo with her husband Kevin and son Wally. Andrea earned her Masters of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Washington in 2013. Andrea reads a little bit of everything, but especially travel memoirs and quirky fiction.