My first library position was with the Bluffton Public Library. An accident of sorts. Or, as i prefer to say, divine intervention. My second day on the job I attended a conference at the Mazza Gallery in Findlay Ohio where I met Denise Fleming and watched her create art using her paper collage process. I. Was. Hooked. I went home that day knowing I had found my perfect professional niche, forever changed.

My title there was Youth Services Coordinator, the first one for that library. A paraprofessional position, I was allowed the opportunity to be the children's department of the library. I created and implemented programs for children, managed the collection including ordering books. Did I say how much I love books? I organized and implemented my first Summer Reading Program there. Believe it or not, we had sleepovers in the library! One of the prize drawings children could enter into for completing the program was a library sleepover. They brought sleeping bags and flashlights of course, for reading after the lights went out. Literally, they slept in the stacks, between the library bookshelves. Best. Times. Ever!

In an environment that made me feel secure, important, and more than competent, I learned so very much in my position there, and I have the person who was the director at the time to thank for much of it. One of those people who I am quite sure was carefully selected to be placed on my path. I am grateful for that time and the people I worked with there. And the families and children. The years I spent there connected me to the families who patronized the Bluffton Public Library, some of the very best people on this planet. In a community which I called home for most of my life. It is a part of who I am. me lives there forever.

Oh my goodness, the fun that was had here! First, the background noise. The library windows open out onto the playground. In warm weather I would open the windows and hear the most delightful sound on the planet, children laughing, at play. And being the child at heart human that I am, I regularly ate lunch in the cafeteria, at the tables with the kids. It was a contest of course, every day, to see which table could convince me to sit with them. I loved it. Just chatting with them, encouraging them to eat their lunch, eat their veggies, drink their milk. We had a blast.

So many amazing experiences were had there. My first author visits took place, Ralph Massiello, Keith Baker, Brian P. Cleary, Denise Brunkus. To this day, it amazes me, the humility, generoisity and overall kind spirit of the children's authors and illustrators I have met.

So many devoted, loving educators there! The love they give every day is astounding. Again, some of the very best people I've ever worked with, I learn so much from good people.

When I think of landing a dream job, this was pretty much it. So many unexpected reasons to love Mansfield Ohio! And my work, so much fun. With one of my most inspirational, dedicated, professional supervisors ever! A few highlights of my work there include visiting a Spanish Immersion school. English speaking students start kindergarten there and by the end of first grade, most of the day Spanish is spoken by all. Amazing! Life is complicated though, and for reasons beyond my control, it was only meant to be for a few years. But as with all of my experiences, it was important and very worthwhile.