CLEARFIELD – There’s a new face at the Joseph & Elizabeth Shaw Public Library in Clearfield, but she isn’t really new to the area or to small communities in general.
Jayme Stonbraker is the new director of the library and hails from Luthersburg, but she has family in the Clearfield area.
In fact, she noted that her grandparents, Fred and Lois Gilmore, were proud supporters of the Clearfield community and they passed their love of community on to their granddaughter.
Stonbraker received her Bachelor of Science degree in library sciences in December of 2009 and also has a teaching certificate for grades kindergarten through 12. In May of 2014, she received her Master’s degree in library sciences as well, all from Clarion University.
This is her first stint as a director, she said. However, she worked for three-and-a-half years at the DuBois Public Library, mostly in inter-library loans, but she also worked with young adult programming and oversaw various parts in the library.
On April 4 she stepped into her new role and said there is something new to learn every day, and she is also learning how much she doesn’t know. So it has been a very busy month for her, she said, but she is enjoying every moment of it.
One thing that is important to Stonbraker is to find ways to connect to the community. She said she intends on exploring what the needs and interests are of current patrons, and also reaching out to the wider community. Reading, she noted, is fundamental to learning, and she wants to help children and their families develop a love of reading and learning.
While she is familiar with the Clearfield community, becoming director at Shaw Library gives her an opportunity to know the people here at a different level. “I really enjoy small communities and getting to know everyone,” she said.
She said her first focus is going to be on the summer reading program, which kicks off in June. A new thing at the library is the purchase of science kits, and staff had the opportunity to give them a test run with ninth-grade students who loved them. Stonbraker said they hope to utilize the kits this summer. Other ideas include a beach volleyball tournament and bike rodeo.
The library is open to new ideas, she said, and welcomes input from the community. Stonbraker said if an idea is something they can do and has enough interest, they will give it a try. She said it is important that the library be relevant and work with the community and be flexible.
So if you’re looking for something new to do or have an idea, stop by the library and say hello, Stonbraker said.