I’ve always loved walking into libraries, whether large public libraries in metropolitan cities or personal libraries in a friend’s home. Books offer the opportunity to travel to times and places different from my own, knowledge and skill building, and entertainment. Today’s libraries provide resources far beyond books to educate our citizens, create more successful communities and therefore, greater opportunities for all our citizens.

I have always been drawn to the life stories of people from different places and cultures. Reading opened the door to my love of travel and deepened my respect for the journeys of others. That’s why I value the Hancock Library System so much—its commitment to innovation and to expanding what’s possible for our community is truly inspiring.

I am proud to serve on the Hancock County Library Foundation Board. After retiring from a career in Nursing Administration, I now serve as the Executive Director of Gulfside Assembly in Waveland, MS. It’s an honor to continue supporting learning, connection, and opportunity in the place I call home.

Books were an integral part of my childhood with us regularly visiting libraries or bookmobiles. When our family moved to the Bay in 1964, we were frequent visitors to the Hancock County Library on Court Street. My dad served on the Library Board in the 1970s and my mother read for Children’s Story Hour. I often filled in for her. Once I had children, we visited the library on a regular basis. The Hancock County Library has always been near and dear to me. Now that my retirement is close, I knew I needed to find a way to give back to the community but wasn’t sure how. When I received the invitation to the Hancock Library Foundation, I was delighted. I’m looking forward to working with this board.

After serving 28 years as a classroom teacher and currently as a local Realtor®, I understand the need for additional educational resources and programs in local communities. I am excited to serve along with the rest of our dedicated board members to help support our library system in their efforts to promote lifelong learning throughout all of Hancock County.

I’m excited to be part of the Library Foundation, to be part of doing good for the community. The library is doing important work in the community to bridge gaps, especially for youth and teens. Every day I’m telling people about the library and what’s available at the library.

I grew up going to the Hancock County Library. As a very young child, my mother would take me to story hour when the library was located at the corner of Ulman Ave. and Dunbar Ave. The staff all knew my name and I knew theirs. Our library system has a special place in my heart and I’m honored to be able to serve on this Library Foundation board!

I am honored to be once again on the Board of the Library Foundation. Our libraries are the core of the communities they serve. They provide a place for education, for access to equipment, for networking, and for creating opportunities for people of all ages. The Board of the Foundation has an important job to do, to build funds so that our library system can continue to grow and provide what is needed in each of our towns.