Happy Retirement, Jane!
Long-time Library Director Jane Somerville is retiring in late April. In 1998, Jane accepted the job at the library partially because she could take her young daughter to work with her, and she liked the idea of promoting reading. She has always enjoyed working with children, in particular, but has led the library through years of great programming and resources for all ages. Thousands of patrons and visitors have benefitted from her knowledge and librarianship. There is even a new game at Story Time now: “Playing Miss Jane.”
We are grateful for Jane’s dedication to the library and community. She will be missed!
Staff Changes
Stepping in to fill Jane’s shoes, along with our helpful volunteers, dedicated Board of Trustees, and supportive community, is Liesl Schernthanner, a substitute at the library since 2018 and Library Assistant since October, 2021.
We are very happy to welcome Kelsey O’Kelley as the new Library Assistant. Kelsey has lived in the Stanley area since 2014, values the sense of community our local library fosters, and is looking forward to contributing to its continued success.
Drop by and say hello as the library begins its next chapter!
A Note From Our Director:
For the past twenty-five plus years it has been my privilege to be the director of the Stanley Community Library. I’ve seen the library through two moves and a building project, increased operational hours, provided public access computers and the first WiFi in Stanley, built a diverse collection, automated circulation, hosted authors, offered many adult programs, school programs, a unique Read’N’Feed program, story times and other pre-school activities, added electronic resources, and most recently established our Community Closet.
I feel I have represented the library and the community well, presenting at regional, local, and national conferences. I served two terms on a state-wide Libraries Linking Idaho (LiLI) steering committee and was elected to the board of the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, a national organization.
The last four years have been extra challenging as we navigated through a global pandemic while still serving our patrons as best we could, and the assault on library services throughout the nation from extremists. Frankly, it’s been exhausting.
I’m looking forward to spending more time with my children and grandchildren, and of course, extra reading time! I’m confident that the library is in good hands with Liesl and Kelsey, and I know the library will remain the heart of our community.
My legacy isn’t a building or a collection, but two generations of kids who heard many wonderful stories, learned to love books, and discovered that the library is a safe and welcoming place for everyone. Thank you for the opportunity to serve. Keep reading, and fighting for your freedom to read.
~Jane Somerville
IMPORTANT: New Library Email
The library is transitioning to a different email: [email protected]. Please start using it now if you need to get in touch, and add it to your Contacts to ensure library emails don’t get stuck in your Spam folder. We will begin sending emails from the new address soon.
Regular Hours
Monday 12-6
Tuesday and Wednesday 12-4
Thursday 12-6
Friday and Saturday 10-6
Closed Sunday