Big Talk From Small Libraries 2025
Josh Bennett, Branch Manager, Mendocino County Library – Round Valley Branch, Covelo, CA, Population served: 1,394
Mendocino County Library Round Valley Branch, Community Anchor: Best Small Library in America 2024
Josh Bennett is a graduate of San Francisco State University and received his MLIS from San Jose State University in 2020. Josh has worked, first as a Branch Librarian and now as a Branch Manager, at the Round Valley Branch since 2015. Prior to working for the Mendocino County Library, Josh worked as an educator in school gardens and throughout California as an outdoor educator. He now lives in Round Valley, a small rural community in Northern California.
Hannah Brandon, Head Librarian, Midland University, Luther Library, Fremont, NE, FTE: 1,100
Background Engagement: Creating Interesting Interactive Library Displays for Patrons
Hannah Brandon is the Head Librarian at Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska with over five years of experience in the library services industry. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) from Louisiana State University and has expertise in both school and academic librarianship. Her career is defined by a strong focus on literacy skills and fostering engagement with reading and learning.
Joanna Carver, K-12 Media Specialist and K-6 Elementary Counselor, McCool Junction Public School Library, McCool Junction, NE, FTE: 242
Bone, Stone, and Books: Revolutionizing the Integration of Library Exploration Into Modern Times
Joanna Carver received her Bachelor’s in education from York University, spent her first six years as a junior high educator, and then moved to Title 1, after completing her master’s in Counseling from Doane University, she was the elementary counselor at Aurora Public Schools, after much deliberation Joanna returned to McCool Junction Public Schools to take on the dual roles of K-6 Counselor and K-12 Media Specialist, and is in her fourth in this position
Cheyenne Chontos, Director, Harrisburg Community Library, Harrisburg, SD, Population served: 9,435
Are You There, Reader’s Advisory? It’s Me, the Librarian.
Cheyenne Chontos (she/they) is the Director of the Harrisburg Community Library in Harrisburg, SD. They have previously worked as the Library Technology Coordinator and as the Continuing Education Coordinator for the South Dakota State Library. Cheyenne lives in Sioux Falls with their husband, Jeff Thormodsgard.
Amanda Doherty, Director, Mt. Pulaski Public Library, Mt. Pulaski, IL, Population served: 2,860
Amanda is a small and rural library director in the middle of Illinois. She is serving her second term as Secretary of the Association for Rural and Small Libraries and is involved in the library system in her own state. Amanda has been married to her husband Chris for 21 years and has two teenagers in her home. She loves talking to anyone who will listen about getting involved in your community and networking.
Lorena Hegedus, Director, Hubbard Public Library, Hubbard, OH, Population served: 7,884
Unique Community Resources at a Small Library
Lorena Hegedus, MLS, Director, Hubbard Public Library (HPL), Hubbard, Ohio since November 2013. As Director, she has maintained and expanded both traditional programs, services and implementation of new, innovative, and needed services (e.g., electronic services, public technology services, and social services). She has facilitated library building renovations and significantly expanded the role and visibility of HPL in the community and beyond. She has impressive experience and expertise in all areas of library science and information sciences and management. She is a graduate of “Leadership Mahoning Valley Academy,” a prestigious community program which incorporates essential community concepts and leadership themes.
Caitlin Henry, Assistant Library Director, Ashland Public Library, Ashland, NE, Population served: 3,100
Partnering with Local Schools to Boost Public Library Engagement
Caitlin is the Assistant Director of the Ashland Public Library. She got her MA in English from UNL before entering the library world and she spent several years as a Youth Services Library Assistant before moving to her current role. She loves that her job at a small-town library allows her to do a little bit of everything, from behind the scenes work to planning and executing programs for patrons of all ages.
Andrea LeClair, Assistant Director and Youth Librarian, Edwards Public Library, Southampton, MA, Population served: 6,100
Andrea LeClair has worked in public libraries for over 15 years. She has an MFA from Emerson College and an MLIS from Simmons College. She works to secure her small and rural library as a vital resource for the town for decades to come while adapting to remain relevant through changing times.
Melissa L. Olson, Director, Alice L. Pendleton Library, Islesboro, ME, Population served: 592
Small Libraries, Big Economic, Environmental and Equity Impacts
Melissa Olson is the director of the Alice L. Pendleton Library, located on Islesboro, a small island off mid-coast Maine. Her goal is to make the Library net-zero. Melissa was a founding member of the Islesboro Energy Committee and chair of the Islesboro Central School Sustainability Team. She and her husband are looking forward to traveling America in their “campulance,” which, once converted, will dramatically decrease their carbon footprint, by living in the south during the winter and migrating north in the summer. At least that’s the plan.
Deb Terhune, Director, Whitewood Public Library, Whitewood, SD, Population served: 900
I was born and raised in Iowa, and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Human Resource Management from Upper Iowa University. Over the course of my career, I held various roles including managing a wholesale operation with five locations, serving as a University Center Director, and working as a Business Development Specialist at a nonprofit where I helped clients with disabilities secure employment.
After retiring, we sold our home and spent eight years RVing across the country. Eventually, we settled in the scenic Black Hills of South Dakota, where I “unretired” and began working at the Whitewood Public Library, continuing to engage with my community and develop programs to serve and educate the children and adults in our area.
Lisa Thompson, Assistant Branch Manager, Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library, Floyd, VA, Population served: 15,619
Lisa Thompson lives in a one stop light town in Southwest Virginia called Floyd. She has worked in various capacities in books and publishing since 1991. At her rural library she is passionate about community outreach. She currently works with the local Recovery Court and helps fight food insecurity with a community refrigerator inside the library. She has spoken at ARSL, ALA, and VLA conferences.
Angela Watkins, Director, Aztec Public Library, Aztec, NM, Population served: 6,146
Getting To Know Your Community, Ideas For Your Board and Staff!
My name is Angela Watkins, I am of African American/European descend. I am 64 years old and have fond memories of being a library lover. I grew up in the Deep South. I started working in the public library in 2003 Got Certified as a Grade 1 New Mexico Librarian in 2012. I’ve worked at canvasing my community, I love what I do to help enhance lives, my staff and my community and will work to provide resources for their growth. I have served on many boards inside and outside of my community, I was a speaker for the ALA’s 2024 Convention “The President’s Program “The Heart Of Our Story: A Celebration Of Library Workers!
Margaret Woodruff, Library Director, Charlotte Public Library, Charlotte, VT, Population served: 4,000
Small Libraries, Big Economic, Environmental and Equity Impacts
From the time I was 10 and volunteered at the library down the street, the library world has been my home. My first visit anywhere I moved always took me to the local library, including an initial outing with my kids to the Charlotte Library 14 years ago. Who knew this would lead me to the directorship today. In the 14 years since I started, we have been busy in Charlotte, adding to our technology facilities, developing a Maker program, streamlining our systems and working toward our Sustainable Library Certification, creating a welcome and accessible environment for all. Prior to that, I was the Youth Services Librarian in Charlotte. I still delight in introducing kids of all ages to books to love for a lifetime.