Bryan Main Library OCTOBER FAMILY/TEEN/KIDS PROGRAMMING Pint-Sized Painters-Nature’s Paintbrush, October 14th, 10:30AM, Register Online Sept. 2nd-Oct.11th Name That Tune, October 14th, 6:00PM, Sign Up at the Desk or Call to Register Family Bingo, October 21st, 5:30PM, Open to All Ages Homeschool Teen Artists Takeover, October 16th, 10:30AM, For Ages 13-17, Register Dress Fun Friday-Dress as a Disney Character!, October 18th, During Open Hours WCPL Bryan Kids’ Costume Showcase, October 30th, 4:00PM, Register Online Oct. 2nd-28th Kids, ages 0-12 years old, can come and show off their Halloween costumes. Snacks, games, & activities! Meet WCPL Assistant Director, Denver Henderson III 1. Tell us a little about yourself. I was born and grew up in Athens, Ohio, the home of Ohio University which is my alma mater. My core interests are my cats (Gatsby, Sonnet, Max, and Beatrix), plants ( I have over 60 houseplants), cooking (I’m told I make a fantastic apple pie), book collecting, theater (acting & directing), and travel. I’m blessed with a varied and interesting group of friends who are always introducing me to new things. I’ve had a library card since I was 5 years old and libraries and librarians were central to my education as a child and teen. 2. Tell us about your career at WCPL. What are you most excited about in your new position? I worked for WCPL for a short time as a reference assistant in the late 1990’s; however I went ‘back home’ in 2000. Twenty one years ago I moved back to Bryan, and in 2017 I happened to talk to Jeff Yahraus (former Director) and Jane Huffman (former Local History Coordinator) at a Business After Hours event where they encouraged me to apply for a library assistant position in Local History. I loved working in the department and helped develop programming which led to me becoming the Programming Manager in 2021. When Susan Irwin, the former Assistant Director, announced her retirement I applied for the position, and here I am: the last job I will ever have! The future of libraries are as community centers: where diverse groups can meet, access information, share ideas, and find a place to just be themselves. While this future is fraught with challenges (sometimes literal challenges to content and material) it is the aspect I find most exciting about my job. The possibility to see WCPL grow in scope and place within each community we serve is what gets me out of bed in the morning — that and my cats demanding to be fed. 3. What is a service that WCPL offers that you wish the community were more aware of? The variety of digital material we have available. Not just Hoopla and Libby, but the EBSCO databases, the library YouTube channel, and much more. I’m committed to expanding digital content and making it available to our patrons. 4. Favorite Book? I have to choose one? Only one? The book that I derive great pleasure from and that I take off the shelf to read at least once a year is Endangered Pleasures: In Defense of Naps, Bacon, Martinis, Profanity, and Other Indulgences by the late Barbara Holland. When I’m in danger of going to the gym, cutting back on my red meat consumption, passing up a cocktail, giving in to ‘hustle culture', or any other nonsense I know it is time to read this book. 5. What upcoming WCPL event are you most looking forward to? This year WCPL and I are partnering with the Friends of the Montpelier Library to give an in-person tour of Riverside Cemetery in Montpelier. It is the largest cemetery in Williams County and I can’t wait to take people through its fascinating history, people, and tombstone architecture.
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