Good librarians are natural intelligence operatives. They possess all of the skills and characteristics required for that work: curiosity, wide-ranging knowledge, good memories, organization and analytical aptitude, and discretion. —Marilyn Johnson
As she prepares to step down, Tina Mauney reflects on her just over 2 decades of working in a Library system. Emotionally leaving isn’t easy for this leader, but she says it is time for her to spend some time with her family and a new grandson in North Mississippi. She has spent 23 years working in the library system and the last 13 years in the Pelahatchie Library, starting when the system was first changing to digital. However, she was there to offer a wealth of knowledge on books for all ages. According to Amy Gatlin of Pelahatchie, “her warm smile and listening ear brought patrons back week after week. She shows kindnesses to all people, young and old, from all walks of life.”
Mrs. Mauney believes that the Library must continuously grow and change, it must always reinvent itself. Computers were brought in to help people in the community look up facts and to fill out job searches and other forms. The Library was a great equalizer for those who had and those who didn’t. The books, the computers and the help that the community received was always a way for Mrs. Mauney to share with the patrons ways of getting things done. She has even noticed a resurgence in the movies that are checked out daily. With the prices of streaming going up, people are reverting back to checking out the DVD’s. Mrs. Mauney believes that when the country experiences tough times that the library becomes more popular for people to come in.
One of the toughest challenges has been striking a balance between maintaining continuity in library services and making sure that people have what they come in for or what they need. The Regional Library System is so incredibly dedicated, and Pelahatchie has been responsive to what the Library has needed to be a growing part of the community. You have to balance the need to continue our operations with being sensitive and empathetic, making sure that everyone’s needs are being met.
Over the years Mrs. Mauney has organized book clubs, social gatherings, senior citizens events and helped people navigate the internet for important projects. There is a book club that meets in a meeting room and has over 100 books under their belt. She always has crafts set up for children and usually a puzzle or two set up for people to help add pieces to. “The closer the puzzle gets to completion, the more people are gathered around.” She has made the Library an inviting place and says, “It was never a job.”
Thursday August 10, 2023 was her last day at Pelahatchie Library. Her Library card will be kept close to her heart as she is leaving the town to be closer to family. Undoubtedly Tina Mauney has made Pelahatchie a better place.
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