Magnolia Springs Public Library receives grant; elects interim trainee

By Jessica Vaughn
Posted 7/7/20

MAGNOLIA SPRINGS - Magnolia Springs Public Library always has lots going on, and not even the coronavirus pandemic can stop the staff and volunteers from supporting their community - even if some …

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Magnolia Springs Public Library receives grant; elects interim trainee

Posted

MAGNOLIA SPRINGS - Magnolia Springs Public Library always has lots going on, and not even the coronavirus pandemic can stop the staff and volunteers from supporting their community - even if some enhanced health and safety guidelines have been implemented.

Recently, the library was awarded a $5,000 grant by the Alabama Humanities Foundation through the National Endowment for the Humanities. The library staff and volunteers look forward to spending the grant money wisely and carefully to benefit library patrons. The decision on what the funds will be put towards will be announced at a later date.

More changes will soon be coming to the library. It was announced in June that current director Elise Nodar will be leaving the library come August.

“Elise has been exemplary and we are so sad to see her go,” said library volunteer Alida Given. “She has done so much for our library … She knows every patron and what they like to read. She will definitely be missed and we know how fortunate we have been to have had her as the library director.”

Nodar, who is currently part time at the Magnolia Springs Public Library, will be seeking a full-time library position. During her time at the library, she has lowered the bills tremendously by switching to an inexpensive phone and internet plan and switching the taxes to online.

The library board recognizes the need to advertise and interview for a new library director, but are reluctant to do so during the current COVID-19 pandemic. They proposed to the council to make Paige Monaghan, longtime library volunteer, the interim trainee under Nodar.

Monaghan will train under Nodar during her remaining time at the library, until she takes over as interim director at the time when Nodar leaves. Monaghan will then act as library director until the time when the health situation improves and interviews can be conducted in person.

“Paige has been with the library since its beginning and has been one of our best volunteers,” Given said. “She’s getting her Masters of Library and Information Studies at the University of Alabama, and she’s already familiar with so many of the details of running our library. She’s someone our patrons know.”

Monaghan started in her new role on Monday, July 6.

For more information on everything that’s going on at the Magnolia Springs Public Library, give them a call at 251-965-2305, visit www.magnoliaspringslibrary.org, or stop by: 12440 Magnolia Avenue.