Sharon has worked for the Botetourt County Libraries for 17 years. She spends part of her workday at the circulation desk helping patrons and the other part preparing new library materials for checkout, which includes adding labels and stamps and making sure the item’s record in the computer is accurate so you can easily find each item in the library’s catalog. Sharon also sorts through donated items for books and DVDs that can be added to the library’s collection.
Working with the public is one of many things that Sharon enjoys about working at the library. She says, “My favorite part of the job is getting to know our patrons. I have enjoyed watching children grow up over the years. Kids who used to come in for story time are now in high school and even college! We tend to form lasting relationships with our patrons. We have had several patrons who have moved away but will stop by just to say hi whenever they’re in the area. I also enjoy getting recommendations from patrons because you can learn about great books and movies that you might not come across on your own.”
Sharon was born and raised in Botetourt County, and even though she has lived in other places across the country, she says that Botetourt has always been the place that’s felt like home. Eight generations of Sharon’s family have lived in Botetourt, and therefore, the county’s history is very important to her. Sharon attends Parkway Wesleyan Church and is very happy that church services have resumed. She spends a lot of time with her great-nieces and -nephews, all of whom are under 7 years old and enjoy coming to play at Sharon’s house. Sharon likes to camp and spend weekends at Douthat State Park. She also loves to sit on her front porch and read a wide spectrum of fiction books. Her two favorite books are The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and Term Limits by Vince Flynn.
Sharon would like to remind everyone that even though our buildings are closed, you can place holds on library materials and pick them up curbside. You can even get puzzles at the Blue Ridge, Buchanan, and Fincastle branches. Sharon told me, “Like many others, I did not enjoy being quarantined. I really missed seeing and talking to our patrons. One of the things I did while working from home was to call our patrons and let them know we missed them! It’s great to be back to work and exciting to see how many of our patrons are taking advantage of curbside services.”
If you pick up holds from Blue Ridge, Sharon would be happy to deliver them to your vehicle and say hello, even from a distance!
