I’m Toy Stone – no, that’s not a typo – it is spelled T O Y. When I was born, being the first girl, my Dad thought I looked like a little toy doll – thus the name.
Scheben is the branch I’ve been at for close to a year as a circulation assistant at the front lobby desk. The perfect place to meet people within the community and assist them with checking out items, finding books and/or reserving items. What I love the most about this position are the great conversations you are privy to with patrons of all ages and creating good friendships with them and co-workers.
I was born and raised in Boone County and even “worked” in the library at Ockerman Jr High. After graduating from Boone County High, I went on to earn an Associate Degree in Nursing at Northern Ky University and landed my first job at Booth Memorial Hospital then on to St. Elizabeth Edgewood for a critical care internship program. The decision for nursing stemmed from my interest in science, thanks to a wonderful teacher in middle school and I also volunteered as a candy striper at the hospital.
After getting married to Rick, we moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and I worked as a critical care nurse in a large hospital in Charlotte. While in North Carolina, I went back to school for my Bachelor’s in Nursing then went on further for a Master’s degree in Nursing Education and worked in both the hospital setting with staff education then went on to teach at Queen’s University in Charlotte with nursing students.
We’ve raised 2 kids, our son a University of Kentucky graduate, our daughter a University of North Carolina-Wilmington graduate. We now have 2 beautiful grandchildren in Arizona and 2 here in Kentucky. Our decision to move back to Kentucky was to be able to spend more time with family and retire from long, stressful work hours.
My husband and I love to travel, hike, ride bikes and attend sporting events. On our travels we’ve been from Alaska to Belize, several countries in Europe and then on to South Korea. We’re still trying to visit all 50 states and many of the national parks. We have also participated on a few mission trips following hurricanes or earthquakes in Mississippi, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Haiti. As a university instructor, I’ve taught a class on Healthcare Issues Abroad and have taken students to France several times over spring breaks.
I love to read and pursue numerous types of learning opportunities. One is my weekly non-denominational Bible study, a great way to learn and fellowship and I found a local chapter in Florence. Growing up, I was always in sports and thought I was not flexible enough to practice yoga, I was so wrong. After attending a couple of yoga sessions with a friend and learning all the benefits, I was hooked and continue my personal practice as well as obtaining a yoga teaching certificate.
We’re still adjusting to our move back home, however, meeting people through the library has been making the transition easier!
