Change in the library world are not glacial. To prove it, the Vicksburg District Library is announcing big staff changes that took place in June.
Eric Hansen will fill the role of director left by the retiring John Sheridan. Hansen is a 2010 graduate of the University of Michigan School of Information. Before switching career tracks, he graduated from Western Michigan University’s (WMU) College of Arts and Sciences and taught courses in English composition, public speaking and creative writing at several colleges. He has worked for the University of Michigan Libraries, Grand Rapids Public Library and the Special Collections and University Archives at Grand Valley State University.
He is expecting to offer internet access to the piles of yearbooks in the library collection from the late 1930s to 1989 as they get scanned into the library database. The library also has decades of scrapbooks and items in storage that people drop off to offer online so a member can access from home.
Hansen and his wife, Margaret, have been married for 13 years. They have a seven-year-old son, Oscar, who will enter second grade this fall. They enjoy completing 5K runs such as the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, and the yearly Thanksgiving Gobble Wobble to raise money for the West Michigan Kids’ Food Basket program.
Hansen explains, “The role of the library has to include serving as a community center. Our library has programs to connect adults and senior citizens, junior high and high school youth, and children from pre-school to elementary age. It’s also a great place to discover new movies, music, and books to discuss with friends.”
Adrianne Schinkai will replace Hansen as Head of Circulation and Reference. Schinkai is a graduate of Wayne State University and WMU. She comes from a background of providing services and programs to a variety of ages in both academic and public libraries. Her prior experience includes working at the Lansing Community College library, Wayne Public Library, Madonna University Library and WMU’s Waldo Library.
Of her new position at the Vicksburg Library, she said, “I have always felt that the public library is an incredible resource for a city or town, no matter how big or small. My mission is to show Vicksburg and its surrounding communities what resources we can provide for them besides just books. Libraries are changing mediums nowadays and can do so many wonderful things. That’s why I love being a librarian!”
Schinkai lives with her husband and daughter and a variety of pets. She lovingly refers to her home as “The Zoo.” During her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, cooking and baking and crocheting. She is a die-hard fan of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and her favorite book this year is Circe by Madeline Miller. Schinkai also enjoys writing fiction and participating in National Novel Writing Month.
Lisa Stafford is Vicksburg District Library’s new clerk. Stafford has been a Vicksburg resident for six years and lives with her husband Nick, their two children, Zoe and Caleb, and two kitties. She enjoys growing fresh vegetables in her garden, trying new recipes, exercising at the gym, spending time with family, and reading with a nice cup of tea. She said, “Going to the library was always a big part of my life as a child. I am very excited to serve my community as a member of the library staff.”