SOLON — There’s a new face in the Solon Public Library.
Lily Smith has taken the Youth Services Librarian position and while in a new job in many ways it’s merely a continuation for the Iowa City area native.
“I had friends here in Solon and I used to hang out here a lot, so I’m excited to get to know the community. I was in-between library jobs when this position became open, and I was excited to get to know a new community and to dive in. I’m really passionate about programming to youth of all ages and have been working in libraries for about a decade now. It’s just a good opportunity.”
As the Youth Services Librarian Lily will oversee programming (including story times, early-out activities, and the Summer Reading Program) for kids from birth through elementary school (fifth grade) while also assisting with teen programs.
“The youngest program we have is “Baby Garden,” Lily said, “once in the fall and once in the spring for six weeks. You can bring in a newborn up to a two-year old toddler. That program is mainly about helping parents connect with each other and have time with other adults when they have that little baby. But then we also do songs and lap bounces with them so they can take those songs home with them and they have something to do with their kiddo.” There’s also ten minutes of book time where the little ones are read to. Even though they can’t understand a single word, Lily said “It’s really great for them to be making those connections between pictures and words.” And then, there’s a half hour of playtime where the kids can play with each other. “It’s an opportunity for the parents to provide extra stimulation for their kiddo.”
Story time is for older elementary school-age kids as well as numerous afterschool activities and special events such as the current Winter Reading Challenge.
Lily’s job also includes maintaining the youth book collection.
“We order all of the books that are added for every age group, and we try to take into account what our community loves as well as having a perspective into different genres and all types of different people in those books; and of course, non-fiction. Otherwise, it’s about interacting with the public and making sure we provide an environment that’s open to everyone in Solon.”
Libraries have always been a special place for Lily who started volunteering at the age of 11 and noted the Solon Public Library has teenage volunteers currently. “I started working in libraries after I graduated high school and I’ve been working in them ever since.” The goal of Lily and the library staff is to make the Solon Library a vibrant environment in contrast to the more solemn, studious, and perhaps even serious nature of libraries of the past.
“We are seeing in the past couple decades a resurgence of libraries as a place of resources, a place not just for checking out materials, but it’s the last free community space that we have in those places that you can exist in. You don’t have to purchase anything; you don’t have to buy anything to be there. You can exist here for free; you can participate with our collection, or you can just be here if you need resources as far as legal resources or finding language, or anything you can think of. We’re happy to help you find that in the community. It has become a livelier environment. We want the meeting room to be full of noise when we have programs. We want kids to feel comfortable here after school, and we want adults to feel comfortable coming to our yoga program, or Cookbook Club.”
It’s all about determining what the community wants, how to engage with them, and how to connect people with themselves and the resources they need, said Lily.
Library work has been very rewarding, Lily said.
“Every library has been the same in that the people I work with, the patrons, and the families in the community are always my favorite. Getting to know them and being able to talk with those families when they come in every week for books, knowing that certain families enjoy certain types of books and remembering, ‘Hey, we just got this new one in,’ or ‘Are you going to be at this program with us? Or join us for Family Night?’ Building that rapport has always been really rewarding and definitely my favorite part.”
How to connect with Lily Smith
Call the library (319) 624-2678 or email [email protected]
Or just stop in and say hello. The library is open Monday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Look for updates on activities and new arrivals each week in the Solon Economist.
Lily Smith, the new Youth Services Librarian at the Solon Public Library interacts with a high school student during a recent after school activity.