Gadsden County Public Library welcomes three new library staff members

Angelia Standley

Havana - Angelica Standley

The Havana branch of the Gadsden County Library system recently welcomed two new library staff members to its ranks - one being Angelica Standley.

Standley arrived at the Havana library after a 20-year career with Florida State University, where she served as a faculty member in a number of positions; her most recent being with the Alumni Association of the university.

In 2010, Standley completed her Masters in Library and Information Science, and she had been waiting for a library position to open up so that she might step into her training and become a full-time librarian.

“I had fond memories of the librarians I interacted with when I was in elementary school,” said Standley.

As a lifelong reader and lover of books, Standley said that becoming a librarian felt natural; even before completing her training as a librarian, she worked temporarily at Books-A-Million.

While not a native of Gadsden County, Standley has lived in Havana for approximately four years.

“I moved here about four years ago - and I practically live across the street from the library,” Standley says. “A short while ago, I started looking to see if the Gadsden libraries were hiring - and I thought, ‘wouldn’t it be funny if the Havana library had an opening?’”

Eventually, the Havana library branch did have an opening for a staff member, and Standley applied, getting the job.

As a trained librarian, Standley says she believes there are key qualities that a person needs in order to succeed as a librarian.

The most important of those being kindness, a desire to help others, and graceful customer service.

On top of that, Standley says that a librarian must have either a love of books and reading, or of research so that they can impart that passion and expertise onto library patrons.

“A librarian should be willing and ready to show the love of physical books,” said Standley.

According to Standley, part of the job of a librarian is to show the younger, more tech-savvy generations how to do old-fashioned research and look up the answers they need - without Google.

Librarians are key parts of a community - even if they are not always noticed for their contributions.

According to Standley, librarians are the ones people go to when they need help with research, finding new reading material, or assistance.

“Librarians make an impact on a personal level within the community,” said Standley.

When Standley isn’t behind the desk at the Havana Public Library, she can typically be found at home with her pets, painting or drawing.

Brianna Rodriguez

Quincy - Brianna Rodriguez

The staff of the Quincy Public Library is being joined by Brianna Rodriguez - a former patron of the library who now carries on the spirit of hometown librarians.

“I always wanted to work in the library,” said Rodriguez, who grew up in Gadsden County and attended George W. Munroe Elementary School.

As a child, Rodriguez says she had fond memories of visiting the library, participating in children’s reading programs, and making friends with the librarians.

“I’ve always been an avid reader and writer since childhood,” said Rodriguez. “Throughout my childhood, the library was my fortress of solitude. You could always find me with my head stuck in a book.”

In 2017, Rodriguez graduated from Tallahassee Community College with an Associate in Arts, and she would go on to spend her COVID-19 lockdown time furthering her talents and academics by studying Commercial Photography Technology at Lively Technical College - graduating in fall of 2020.

Currently, Rodriguez is continuing to advance herself academically by pursuing her bachelors in English Literature through the University of Central Florida’s online degree program.

This is Rodriguez’ second week as a staff member at the Quincy library, and she says: “I love it so far.”

Rodriguez has been a life-long patron of Gadsden County’s libraries, and she knows firsthand just how crucial library services are to the community.

As a child, the library was Rodriguez’s recluse of reading, and while she seeks to make sure the library is a place of literacy and discovery for future children, she also sees the need of a library in a community for other services.

“A lot of people in this community may not have access to computers or even the internet at home,” said Rodriguez.

The library offers computer access for those who need it.

“People come in and use the computers for job applications, to look up online resources, or just connect with others online,” said Rodriguez - all things that are crucial in a modern, digital world.

When Rodriguez is not behind the desk at the Quincy library, she says she can often be found either with her nose buried in a book or writing; Rodriguez aspires to be a published novelist someday, and also writes for several online, music-themed publications.

“I love rock and metal music. With live music making its grand return, I’m looking forward to the chance to attend concerts again and photograph bands from the photo pit,” says Rodriguez.

Patricia Ann Brown

Havana - Patricia Ann Brown

Patricia Ann Brown has not always been a librarian - but she has always served in careers that focused on helping others and providing stellar service.

Brown is one of the newest faces at the Havana Public Library branch, but before arriving at the library, Brown had recently retired from the state, where she worked with the department of health.

Brown specialized in insurance and disability-related services, and was with the State of Florida as an employee for approximately 30 years.

"I have been in service work all my life," adds Brown. "I love helping people, and [after retiring] I didn't want to just sit at home - I wanted to keep on assisting people."

So when the library had an opening, Brown applied and she is not one of the smiling, welcoming faces behind the counter at the Havana library.

Brown is a native of the Gadsden County area, and a graduate of Havana schools.

She is a member of the Class of 1981 with Havana Northside High School, and has never moved far from her community and helping those who live here in Gadsden County.

'Helping Others' is one of Brown's personal creeds and in addition to being a librarian, Brown is also an ordained minister and co-pastor of a ministry that she and her husband founded, Walk By Faith Ministry (based out of Tallahassee).

Through her ministry, Brown says she takes a personal interest in building up women through religious faith, and providing a place of recluse and healing for those who need it.

Likewise, Brown says she hopes the Havana Public Library can be known as a place of safe-escape for those who need it.

Whether coming in out of the heat to browse books, to use resources, or to escape from whatever awaits them outside of the library, Brown wants the library to be a safe place for all.

"People need to feel warmth, love, and a safe place and environment," said Brown, adding that librarians can help make all of that possible.

The impact, beyond the care and attention they give to each library patron, Brown said can be seen in the services that libraries offer.

"Quite a few people need computer or electronic assistance," said Brown. "Librarians can help them without judging them."

In order to succeed as a librarian, Brown believes a good library staff member should be an example of kindness, gentleness, compassion, and aid.

Additionally, a good librarian - Brown says - should be resourceful and blessed with a love of helping.

At the very top of her 'good librarian' list, however, is just the good, old fashioned love for strangers that she thinks everyone could display a little more.

Ashley Hunter - editor@gadsdencountytimes.com

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Gadsden County Public Library welcomes three new library staff members

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Destination: North Florida Wildlife Center brings the tropics to North Florida

Dematres Jackson, Crossroad graduate, commits to Fort Valley State Track and Field

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