The Charlotte Community Library strives to create a friendly and welcoming environment. Among the staff members, we are so friendly, we are like family. Because of this atmosphere we’ve created, you shouldn’t be too surprised to learn that two sets of mothers/daughters have called the Charlotte Community Library home. Each mother had worked at the Library previously and now both of their daughters are currently working here. The color of the individuals name corresponds to that person’s answer.
Savannah and Rhonda Brown
1. What is role at the library? (Give title and a brief description of what you do).
Savannah: I have a very fun role at the library! I am a Youth Services Assistant. I get to do a lot of fun programming with students like Craft Clubs, Minecraft Club, and It’s Elementary. Additionally, I have fun helping the library’s Youth Director with anything she needs. I also work on the circulation desk, so you might see me checking out books to patrons.
Rhonda: I started out on the Circulation Desk and loved greeting patrons. Eventually I took on additional responsibilities. I helped with displays around the library and assisted with children’s programs. The Homebound Program allowed me to bring books to patrons no longer able to visit the library. I also learned book repair. Adult Programming was amazing as I was able to schedule and host events, have fun with the summer/winter reading programs, and lead two book clubs.
2. When did you start working and how long have you been at the library?
Savannah: I started at the library in July of 2019 as a library page. Now I have been at the library for over 3 years.
Rhonda: I was working at the library 2014-2018.
3. How do you feel about working at the same place your mother works before you?
Savannah: I love working at the library my mom worked at! It’s so fun seeing her handwriting pop up in random places around the library.
4. Do you have any memories of visiting your mom at work?
Savannah: While my mom was working at the library, she mostly worked while I was in school, so I didn’t get to visit her very often. However, she will visit me at work, and I get to check out her books to her. It’s also fun getting a mid-day hug from her (and sometimes even a mid-day snack).
3. What changes do you see at the library since you worked here?
Rhonda: There are no longer fines and there is no cost for DVD’s! That is different from when I was working. Also, I love seeing the parking out front for horses and the charging station for electric cars.
4. Do you still frequent the library as a patron?
Rhonda: Yes, I love to still come to the library!
5. How is you job similar/different to one another’s?
Savannah: My mom and I both did Craft Club and worked on the circulation desk. Eventually, my mom got more into adult programming. She oversaw the adult book clubs and other fun programs! I mostly stay in youth programming.
Rhonda: Both Savannah and I have worked the circulation desk, and with the children’s programs. I think Savannah has done a lot more with the children’s programs than I did. She also faced the challenges during the pandemic. We have worked with some of the same staff members.
Savannah, how does it feel being in the same position your mom worked?
Savannah: I think it’s so fun working the same position as my mom. Sometimes it’s really helpful. Occasionally, I’ll bring up a craft I want to with the kids, and she’ll tell me that she previously did that craft with the kids. I may consider not doing the craft since we’ve already done it, but if she told me it went over really well, I might think about doing it again. Overall, it’s great to get a second opinion from my mom.
6. What is your favorite thing about working at the library?
Savannah: My favorite thing about working at the library are the people I work with. I’ve met so many amazing students who make working at the library so fun. The students I work with are creative, bright, and incredibly funny. They encourage me every time I work with them. I also love and admire my coworkers. Because I grew up going to the library, some of my coworkers have known me since I was a baby! From being a kid and coming to the library, to working at the library, I have always felt so loved by the staff at the library. Seeing my coworkers go above and beyond for patrons encourages me to do the same. My coworkers have helped shape me into who I am, and I am so thankful for them!
Rhonda: My favorite thing about working at the library is the people! Both co-workers and patrons. The Charlotte Community Library has the best staff and I just loved seeing the patrons when they came in. I also liked seeing new books arrive and hearing about books that others enjoyed reading.
Caitlyn and Rebecca Tanner
1. What is your role at the library? (Give title and a brief description of what you do).
Caitlyn: My title is “Library Services Assistant,” and my main responsibilities are processing library cards, managing incoming and outgoing MELCAT requests, and sharing information about the library’s events with local news sources.
Rebecca: When I first started at the library, I worked primarily on the Circulation Desk but as time went on, I added MeL, purchasing, and cataloging duties.
2. When did you start working and how long have you been at the library?
Caitlyn: I started working at the library in late April 2022, so I’ve been here for a little over seven months.
Rebecca: I worked at the Charlotte Community Library for approximately seven years from Fall, 2011 until November, 2018.
3. How do you feel about working at the same place your mother works before you?
Caitlyn: I think it’s nice working at the same place as my mother — I already knew several of the staff members when I was hired and was somewhat familiar with the way things were run. Funnily enough, a lot of the long-time patrons haven’t made the connection that we’re related. (I guess it isn’t as obvious if we’re not next to each other.)
4. Do you have any memories of visiting your mom at work?
Caitlyn: Yes! My friends and I would often walk to the library after school when it was nice outside and search the manga section for our next series to read. I can’t count how many times she had to order books through MEL for me because the library had lost their copy…
3. What changes do you see at the library since you worked here?
Rebecca: Since leaving the library four years ago, I have seen the library grow its community offerings. I love the fact that there are so many “non-book” related activities that the public can be a part of. It helps break the old-fashioned stereotype that some people still hold that libraries are stuffy old buildings with nothing but books. I think people are surprised at how many other things you can find and do at the library and what a vibrant place it actually is. The Charlotte Community Library is doing a great job of getting this message out to the community. There are several new faces on staff which brings new energy to the library also.
4. Do you still frequent the library as a patron?
Rebecca: Unfortunately, I do not get into the library as often as I would like but I take advantage of the online services often. Being able to download audiobooks from Hoopla has made my daily commute more enjoyable.
5. How is you job similar/different than your mom’s?
Caitlyn: My mom was also in charge of MEL when she worked at the library. Besides that, she worked as a reference librarian, purchased items for the collection, and catalogued materials.
Rebecca: Like myself, Caitlyn spends time on the Circulation Desk and processing MeL. I was fortunate that there was another member of the staff better qualified to issue cards during my time at CCL but Caitlyn takes that on in addition to all her other tasks.
Caitlyn, how does it feel being in the same position your mom worked?
Caitlyn: Being in the same position as my mom is a little strange, but also convenient because I can ask her for advice when I encounter a problem. Because of the way MEL is set up, I’ll sometimes encounter emails and other messages left over from when she held the position. It’s a nice little surprise every time.
6. What is your favorite thing about working at the library?
Caitlyn: I really enjoy getting to know people the more they visit. It’s especially fulfilling to see someone slowly go from an occasional visitor when they first get their library card to a frequent visitor who utilizes all the services the library offers.
Rebecca: The people – patrons and staff. Anyone who has worked at the Circulation Desk can tell you that you start bonding with the “regulars” you serve each week. You watch the kids grow and change into young adults, you have older patrons that you watch out for, and yes, I had my favorites that I looked forward to seeing when they came in the door. The staff was like a little family – we shared good times – marriages, births, and graduations – and bad times – deaths and medical issues. I knew that any of the ladies would be there for me if I needed them and I still call upon a few for words of wisdom.
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