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New Madrid County Library System’s new director ready for the challenges ahead
PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. — Sitting down to enjoy a good book just got a little harder for Lori Robinson. As the new director of the New Madrid County Library System, Robinson is going to be busier than ever.
In June, Robinson was selected to replace longtime director Susan Newman, who had announced her retirement earlier this year.
Robinson acknowledged the role of libraries and librarians is changing but added she is ready for the challenge. It is a job she has been in training for much of her life.
“As a kid, I would walk down to the library and check out books and just hang out in here,” the Portageville native recalled. “I just loved it.”
She began her working career at the front desk of Portageville’s New Madrid County Library branch. From 1994 to 1996, Robinson would spend her days assisting patrons find their next read, keeping the card catalogue in alphabetical order and shelving the returned books.
An offer for a full-time job took her away from the library. That work gave her the opportunity to hone her skills in everything from bookkeeping and data processing to taking minutes at board meetings.
In late 2009, Robinson said she found herself “back home with the New Madrid County Library as the second bookkeeper in library history.”
Soon she was doing more than keeping the books.
In addition to the accounting and payroll, there were reports to prepare for the Library Board and forms to submit to government agencies. She worked the front desk when needed and began assisting with cataloguing and processing materials coming in and out of the library.
With library branches at Gideon, Matthews, Morehouse, New Madrid, Parma and Risco, Robinson added keeping the branches stocked with circulating books to her duties. She would visit the branches to bring books, check with the librarians on their needs and report any problems to Newman.
When the Morehouse Library was threatened by flooding, Robinson grabbed her boots and began loading books into boxes to save them from disaster. When the flood waters receded, she was back putting them on the shelves.
“I have fulfilled many job duties,” she said with her ever-present smile. “Even rolling up my sleeves for the not so pleasant janitorial duties.”
She praised Newman for enabling her to step into the job as director.
“Susan is very patient and she is open-minded. Literally she has taken me under her wing to educate me on the ways of the library,” Robinson said. “I learned a lot from her about the functions of the library. Most of all, she set a good example of what a supervisor should be.”
Newman foresees good things for the New Madrid County Library System with Robinson at the helm.
“Lori and I have worked together for several years. She has plans to help the library remain an active and vital part of the community. I wish her all the best,” Newman said
Robinson said she wants to help the library move into the future.
She pointed out the New Madrid County Library System already provides patrons the opportunity to download digital books. However, as a result fewer patrons are coming into the branches, she said.
“I want to make the library a place where people come in again,” she said. “I want to give them a reason to come back to the library. I am looking into implementing maybe some new activities.”
She and Allison Whitten, a former New Madrid County resident who is moving back to the area to work as assistant library director, will be developing adult programs for residents.
And don’t expect Robinson to be going around insisting everyone must be quiet at the library. She said one of her favorite things to hear in the library is laughter.
“I feel the library should be the hub of a social setting. I love seeing people I haven’t seen in a long time come through the doors when I am at the front desk,” she said. “I hope as director I will be out there with the public even more.”
She said she also hopes people will reach out to her with suggestions for programs, activities and books.
“I don’t think that people realize how much we do have here because they haven’t been in in a long time. We offer a lot here,” Robinson said. “We’re not just books.”