With the retirement of several long-time employees, Dixie Regional Library System has welcomed several new faces as well as some familiar faces in new roles. Two branch managers, one cataloguer, and four library assistants have joined the DRLS team in the past six months.

Teri Hamilton was hired in August 2020 as Branch Manager of Houlka Public Library. As a dedicated library patron with roots in Houlka, she has stepped into her role smoothly. Her first display featuring a Mississippi author even caught the social media attention of the author – Carolyn Haines – and created further networking opportunities for Hamilton. Hamilton has ‘hit the ground running’ and has several projects underway.

  

Marie “Minnie” Bounds began as Branch Manager at the J. S. Edmondson Memorial Library in October 2020. Bounds worked in the library a few years back through a NCBA employment program. Bounds says she has “worked over 45 years in several different job’s positions. I have experienced working retail, clerical, administration, and medical. Every opportunity I have undergone I realized they all were dealing with people public relations. So, my goal in life is “not to be judgmental for we don’t know the road that others have traveled.” 

Pam Morton was hired in October 2020 as Cataloger for DRLS’ eight branches having previously served as a library assistant at Pontotoc County Library. Morton’s attention to detail has lent itself well to her new position and she says “There are so many beautiful reasons to be happy working in the library!  I love my coworkers and my job." 

A familiar face at Pontotoc County Library’s front desk, Pam Metcalfe welcomed the opportunity to take on more hours. Her commitment to providing the very best service to patrons is an asset to the community. 

 

Cassie Swords is a familiar face in a new role at DRLS. Having worked as library clerk for several years, Swords was excited at the opportunity to increase her role and responsibilities as a library assistant at Pontotoc County Library. She says, “I have always been involved at my local library and firmly believe the library is a gateway to success.”  

At Jesse Yancy Memorial Library in Bruce, two long-time patrons have landed their “dream jobs”. Shea Smith Hubbard, new library assistant, says, “Before I was hired at JYML, I was a loyal patron, coming in to work on my resume and to search online for a job. It was a wonderful coincidence that I found my dream job right here. It is a perfect fit for me.” Brandy Kellum, part-time library assistant and substitute, states “Because of my love of reading, I had always dreamed of working in a library surrounded by books. I love it!” 

Submitted by: 

Emily Sutherland 
Assistant Director 
Dixie Regional Library System