Most JPL staff know Kathy Tekin, Youth Services Library Supervisor. You might not know the interesting path she took to her current position and all that she and her staff do so diligently to contribute to JPL's success.1. What experience prepared you to supervise Youth Services?
I’ve spent many years working in a variety of library settings, starting as an elementary media specialist for Harper Creek Schools and then for four schools in Battle Creek, Michigan.
My first public library position was as a children’s librarian for Howell Carnegie District Library, housed in an 80-year-old building. After four years in that building, we moved to a newly renovated, expanded building. I worked closely with the contractors and architects during the building phase.
My next adventure was with the St. Johns County Public Library in St. Augustine where I served as a teen librarian and later promoted to branch manager of public service.
JPL is the largest library system I have worked for; I was hired as a children’s librarian at Highlands in June 1998, then promoted to Programming Supervisor in 2002. JPL is rewarding to me, working with staff and our community to create awareness of our library's many services.
Working in various library settings I saw how each area of a library can impact and influence other areas and the impact of programming in a branch and in a large library system like this. The Executive Leadership Academy helped me hone my skills with project management--as I worked on a project for JPL--and in communication. As a result of this course, the position of Early Childhood Specialist was created.
My most challenging role was as a branch manager and an Interim Library Director for the Howell Carnegie Library where I was involved in day-to-day operations and the project management aspects of the new building.
2. What programs have you seen JPL develop that have helped our community most?
JPL has had the opportunity to implement a number of youth services programs that have made a great impact in this community. After the Main Library was built, we could hold many more programs because we now had the space. We have dedicated children’s and teen spaces that were not in the Haydon Burns Library, and that has allowed Youth Services staff the opportunity to be creative and prolific with programs. Two of the most recent programs that have been a big success are Prime Time Family Reading Time and Teens Make a Difference.
Prime Time is a 6-week reading and storytelling program for families whose children are struggling to read and develop the necessary literacy skills to perform at their grade level. The program encourages families to read and discuss meaningful children’s books together and enables parents with limited literacy skills to create a home environment supportive of their children and their reading development.
The first stop of the three series program was at Bradham Brooks Northwest Branch, and after the six weeks concluded, we had served more than 26 family members. Each week we served a meal to the families and then had storytime. Families were sad when the six week program ended. All the families had grown close and had a rapport with the library staff, the scholar, and the storyteller. The case was the same at UPK as at NW, even though attendance nearly doubled to 49 family members.
Teens Make a Difference began in spring 2010 with seven teen interns. We are now in our second round of interns and as with Prime Time, we have nearly doubled our numbers. We now have 13 teen interns, who work at University Park, Regency, Webb, Argyle and Main. The teens work in a variety of capacities and in many different departments including, circ, reference, Talking Books, children’s and teen. They handle daily tasks such as shelving, helping customers with computers, finding materials, program planning, support and check outs.
3. How do you and your staff of three get all those youth programs ready and rolling?
A lot of planning and even more teamwork. I am so appreciative of my staff and their willingness to work hard to get the job done. Prime Time Family Reading Time is a great example of lots of teamwork within our staff and with our community partners. Planning and developing the path for successful programs is crucial and all players need to be on the same page.
Teens Make A Difference has been successful due again in part to community partners and JPL staff teamwork. The pilot for this program had seven teens working in three library locations that are easy to monitor and establish the criteria for success. This semester we have 13 teens in five branches and again we are successful due to partners and library staff. This Internship Program is reaching out to students who need that first break to obtain job skills that will be helpful in their future endeavors . They have a clear understanding of our expectations and they know they are contributing to their own growth.
4. How will Youth Services play a vital role in JPL’s future?
Through programs that meet the interest and needs of our youth. The interests of today’s youth are constantly changing--something that was new and exciting to them one day, will be out-of-date the next. By evaluating the trends, trying new programs and services, and asking for their involvement in helping determine their likes and dislikes, JPL's Youth Services will remain educational, fun, and relevant .
5. What is something you would like to share about yourself that most of us don’t know?
I thoroughly enjoy gardening and a variety of needlework styles like cross stitch and crocheting.
And check out Mandarin's new
Carolyn Williams, Deputy Director, was truly surprised November 9 when staff threw her a celebratory luncheon honoring her 30 years with 
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