I began my library career as a page at the Eglin Air Force Base Library in Florida. I moved to the Reference Department at the University of West Florida while earning a BA in Communication Arts and then the Geology Library at the University of North Carolina while earning a Masters in Library Science. My first professional position was Children’s Librarian at Cumberland County Public Library in Fayetteville, NC., followed by Children’s Librarian at Kenton County Public Library before serving as a School Librarian while raising my kids. I returned to public libraries with Boone County Public Library in 2010 as an Early Literacy Specialist, then Youth Services Manager at Scheben and now Youth Services and Outreach Director.
While I have worked in nearly every type of library, I can say without reservation that public libraries are where my passion lies. As the daughter, wife and mother of Air Force pilots, I learned the value of structure, leadership, and discipline necessary to master a complex job and the team building that the military instills. I love my work as director since these challenging roles make best use of just these skills.
I am especially proud to be part of a library system that leads in so many ways, to include technology, children’s programming, outreach and is paving the way for the role of libraries moving forward while growing and innovating with our community.
I married my husband while he served in the Air Force at Pope Air Force Base, NC. We later chose Kentucky to raise our three boys. The oldest is an attorney, clerking for a Federal Judge in Washington DC. The second graduated from the Air Force Academy and is currently an F-15 pilot serving in the United Kingdom. Our youngest is in a Chemical Engineering PhD program at Georgia Tech. I am proud to say they are all readers!
My boys affectionately say, “Mom is happiest with a book in her hand and being wherever her children and grandchildren are.” Since none of my children live in the area, we travel a lot and of course do virtual storytimes with our grandchildren. I am a voracious reader, with a particular weakness for picture books, historical and southern fiction. My husband and I enjoy swimming, walking/hiking and watching our favorite college sports teams.
Meet the BCPL Board of Trustees
Dr. Eric Jackson – Vice President
Chris Lange – Treasurer
Meet the BCPL Executive Director
Carrie Herrmann – Executive Director
Meet the BCPL Directors
Jennifer Timmerman – Youth Services and Outreach Director
Bridget Striker – Boone County Borderlands Archive and History Center at Boone County Public Library
Sherri Slavey – Human Resources
Jeff West – Facilities
Samantha Sizemore (coming in November)
Jennifer Gregory (coming in December)
Michael Salvarino – IT (coming in January 2023)
Jennifer Cheek – Public Relations and Marketing (coming in February 2023)
Dawna Bach – Public Services (coming in March 2023)