A chat from the new person

Oh my...look how time has been flying!  I fully intended to pick up this blog just where Marcia left off.  Ahhh...such good intentions.

The weeks (and months) since Marcia left have been busy.  I'll start with a brief introduction.  I am Amy Russell.  I was born in Niagara Falls, NY, but have lived in Kokomo since I was 2.  I am a graduate of Kokomo High School, Purdue University and Indiana University.  My library career began here at KHCPL (KPL then) fresh out of college as the County Bookmobile Librarian.  I left after 3 years to take a job in the Library at Haynes International.  I returned to KHCPL as a volunteer in 2010 and am now the Head of the Genealogy & Local History Department.  (Volunteers take note.  This is a way to a career path).

We have also added a new member to the Digitization portion of our department.  We were sad to let Janet Winrotte move on to a new adventure but delighted to welcome Melanie Vess.  Melanie came to us from the Adult and Teen Department and has been diligently learning the digi side of genealogy and local history.  Melanie ably supervised a summer student and is keeping some of our volunteers busy.  Of course Janice Blanchard and Ron Tetrick are still the friendly folks who greet you as you come in and will help with your requests.  You might also see a couple of our substitutes - Joe Rayl and Cindy Stover helping us with desk duties. 

We have lots of plans for fall and I will get to them in another entry.  Meanwhile, watch for announcements on a DAR workday (Sept 28), our 33rd NightOwls evening (Oct 18) and another trip to the Allen County Public Library (Nov. 9).