written by Traci Glass, WDM Public Library Director
I’m happy to be able to introduce myself to all of you! My name is Traci Glass, and I am proud, excited, and just beyond thrilled to be your new Library Director working alongside the passionate, dedicated, and incredibly talented staff of the West Des Moines Public Library. This staff really does feel like a family to me, and I am so lucky to be a part of such a wonderful group of staff as well as the welcoming and kind community of West Des Moines.
I have worked in libraries for 25 years, and I have loved every minute of it. I started as shelver when I was in college, and then worked up through Circulation to become a lead circulation clerk checking in and out materials and working with patrons and their accounts. During that time, I received my master’s degree in Library and Information Science (MLIS) from the University of Arizona and have worked as a Children’s Librarian, Teen Services Librarian, Youth Services Manager, and most recently the Assistant Director of the Lincoln City Libraries in Lincoln, Nebraska. I’ve been fortunate to work in libraries my whole working life, save for the two years I worked in a record store – but, since that was alphabetizing cassettes and albums, I count that as library work, too!
As a librarian with a background in Youth and Teen Services, it is especially fun to be starting at a new library right at the beginning of Summer Reading! We have so many special programs planned, prizes to be given away, and of course, a Spotty to find! I hope everyone who is reading this has already signed up for Summer Reading, but if you haven’t, be sure to sign up right away - either in person or through our Beanstack app. Our Summer Reading program is open to all ages – because what goes better than lazy summer days than reading or listening to something fabulous you checked out from your library! Plus, make sure to check out our website to find out where our Words on Wheels vehicle will be all summer long. Our WoW vehicle is stocked with books, games, and your friendly neighborhood library staff to help you find your next great read!
For those of you who regularly visit our library or kiosk – thank you! I hope to see you soon! For those of you who don’t spend as much time here as you’d like to, please come back and see everything we have to offer. I know that we will have something that will make you glad you visited. Please feel free to reach out over the phone at 515-222-3409 or stop by the 2nd floor reference desk and ask for Traci. I can’t wait to meet you!
Fondly,
Traci Glass
West Des Moines Library Director
Read the rest of the June library eNewsletter here.
