By Katelyn Morgan
Photography by Matt Odom

Why are you driven to your work?
The library was always a safe haven for me, and I want to make it a safe haven for others, too.

What is the legacy you hope to leave?
My mom taught my sister and I to leave things better than the way we found them. I try to live my life by that same principle. I want my legacy to be that I left the community and the world better than how I found them. If my community feels even just a little more supported, a little more loved, that’s enough.
What makes you feel appreciated?
I absolutely love when someone tells me that an idea I had or a project I worked on had an impact, even if it’s a small one. That makes me feel like I’m doing a good job.

What do you want more people to know about your work?
The library is so much more than books. For many, especially those in our more rural areas, the library is the only place they can access resources like broadband and wifi. Our libraries have helped people apply for jobs, connect with family and friends, and grow in knowledge. The value of the library, especially in our rural and poverty-stricken communities, is immeasurable.

What lessons have you learned from working through the COVID-19 pandemic?
If there is one thing I’ve learned during the pandemic, it’s that people need community and connection. It’s so easy to feel alone, but you’re never alone, not really. I think working at the library has really shown me that. Not only have we tried to make the library a safe space for people to connect with each other and their communities, but we as library workers have also learned to lean on each other and to support one another. So, even if you’re feeling like the world is on fire, it’s so important to seek those connections, and the library is a great place to stay connected!

How can our community better support your work?
This probably seems cliché, but using the library and promoting our services and programs makes a huge difference. And if you see a library worker, tell them thank you!

When you wake up in the night, what do you think about?
I’m definitely the kind of person who wakes up in the middle of the night and immediately starts thinking of all the things that need to be done and the problems that need to be fixed.

What makes you get out of bed in the morning?
I love what I do and I love the community I am a part of. I get to be part of this awesome group that loves the community and will do anything to ensure its growth and success. That makes it easier to get up in the morning.

What makes a “hero”?
I’ve always thought heroes were people who made a difference by being good and kind, by striving for goodness and kindness in everything they do.

If I had more time, I would:
Travel. I think there is so much beauty in the world, we just have to look for it!

Denita Thomas
Affiliate Services Coordinator, Middle Georgia Regional Library

Why are you driven to your work?
The reason I am driven to my work is two-fold. I am passionate about serving the community, and I believe education is the key to success. The library opens venues to support both of these facets.

What is the legacy you hope to leave?
I always strive to do a job beyond what is expected. I hope others will remember me as someone who worked hard.

What makes you feel appreciated?
I feel most appreciated when I’m helping others strive for their best and achieve their goals.

What do you want more people to know about your work?
I would like others to know that branch managers in our rural libraries work really hard to offer outstanding programming. They receive very little funding, yet they are able to deliver phenomenal services to their communities.

What lessons have you learned from working through the COVID-19 pandemic?
What we learned was that we must always be flexible. We adapted to the needs of the community by offering programs virtually, curbside and allowing patrons to complete card applications online so they could have continued access to materials digitally. We definitely honor the mission of Middle Georgia Regional Library to connect all people to the information necessary to improve their lives through excellent services and materials.

How can our community better support your work?
The community can better support our work by patronizing the library more. We need everyone to come out and enjoy our great services. We have something for everyone: book clubs, movie DVDs, story-time for the kids, bingo, puzzles and computer classes. I could go on and on talking about our services. There is so much the library offers that you won’t know about until you come check us out!

When you wake up in the night, what do you think about?
How can I be better than I was yesterday?

What makes you get out of bed in the morning?
Foremost is my family. Secondly, excitement for what the day has to offer. I look forward to learning what’s new in the six libraries I serve. I like helping to facilitate their goals and accomplishments.

What makes a “hero”?
A hero to me is simply someone who shows up. You don’t have to be extraordinary, just show up and give your all.

If I had more time, I would:
Go somewhere where the water is really blue. Only my kids would get that sentence.