Library Manager A People Person
Interacting with people from all over the world is one of Wes Ferguson’s favorite things about being the library manager at Noel Community Library.
He has been working at the library for 12 years. It all started when he began volunteering at the library after moving to Noel 16 years ago.
“When I relocated here I started coming here for something to do,” he said. He started part-time work as a volunteer. When the previous manager quit, he took her place.
“I’m just somebody that enjoys being a servant. That part is wonderful,” he said.
Ferguson grew up in Colorado and New Mexico. While in college he got a job in the oil and gas industry. He worked many years in the industry, mainly in Houston, Texas. He decided to move to Noel after being invited to Christmas there with a friend.
“I went from moving all over the
place to settling down in a small town,” he said.
Ferguson said of his job, “It gives me a chance to interact with people from all over the world. It’s a blessing.”
He said his patrons come from many different places such as Mexico, Cuba, Honduras, El Salvador, Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, Burma and Thailand.
“Somebody said there’s 30 cultures here,” he said. “It’s great. You don’t know who’s going to walk through the door. You see people from all over the world, and they’re just trying to make their life better.”
He added that the library’s location right next to the senior citizen’s center allows for a lot of senior patrons. He said he tries to keep a selection of large-print books on hand. He also noted he can borrow books from other libraries in the area if necessary to get whatever patrons want.
Sadly, he said, the library has not had a large amount of participation from children this summer. They had a summer reading program, but numbers have declined.
“We’ve got boxes of prizes nobody’s participated in. It kind of hurts your heart,” he said.
“I think the library is the best bang for the buck that taxpayers get. We get new release movies, the newest books, we try to stay up on all the nationalities. I want people to know it’s here and their tax dollars are at work. We’re here to serve.”
There are certain rewards that go along with working at a library.
“Watching a kid learn a new word — it’s awesome. I love to watch kids learn,” he said. “I came here and it’s like the Lord gave me a new life. Without a doubt it’s been the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my life.”
He said his regular patrons become like family. Getting to meet people and making them feel welcome is the most enjoyable part of his job, he said.
“I enjoy people, and I like to see people smile,” he said.
“Somebody said there’s 30 cultures here. It’s great.” Wes Ferguson Noel Library Manager