Catawba County Library Staff Highlights
Mason has been with the Catawba County Library for 19 years. He currently works in the Technical Services Department where the library catalogs, processes, and delivers library materials to patrons throughout the system. He is most well-known as the “Book Man” along the courier route, where there are often patrons waiting for him to arrive hoping he has their book holds for them in the courier van.
Mason’s favorite thing about the library is “knowing we offer more than just books. The library today is so diverse in helping the community with job searching(resumes), computer classes, and different types of programs /partnerships with other organizations.” Even with all of these offerings, running the courier service is still what makes his day. Courier operates 5 days a week and fulfills the requests of our patrons at each library location across the county, ensuring everyone has access to the full library.
After finishing a business degree at WPCC, Mason ran across the job opening for a Technical Service Specialist/Courier at the library and thought he would give it a try. He turned it into a career thanks in part to great coworkers and learning opportunities that allowed him to grow in the position. Mason loves Spring and summer for many different reasons like fishing, kayaking, hiking, and family beach vacations.
Alyssa is originally from Rhode Island but has spent most of her life in Conover after moving here with her family to escape the snow and ongoing shoveling of the Northeast. Alyssa has recently graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Information Systems and Supply Chain Management! She loves kayaking, hiking with her family, or simply immersing herself in a good book in her leisure time. She even embarked on a month-long adventure in Malaysia, where she had the opportunity to explore various provinces including Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Malacca, and Johor Bahru!
Alyssa enjoys working with her colleagues and fostering connections within the local community. She particularly relishes the dynamic environment of the library that ensures each day brings something fresh to anticipate. She takes pride in offering patrons her technology expertise and assistance, often feeling great reward in witnessing patrons’ sense of accomplishment when they are able to resolve difficulties.
Alyssa served as a helper at her school library which instilled a lasting affinity for libraries. In 2019, she seized the opportunity to apply for an hourly library assistant position and has been a part of the Catawba County Library team ever since.
Chanda grew up in Eastern North Carolina until she moved to Catawba County to work at the library. She graduated with her Masters in Library and Information Science from UNCG in 2018 but has worked in libraries since 2008. Her favorite thing about working at the library is seeing and helping people from all income and education levels with various cultural backgrounds, meeting so many different people keeps her job interesting.
Chanda admits to having too many plants, loves to read anything not based in reality, and enjoys watching Sci-Fi and Fantasy shows - although she will stop everything she’s doing if a good movie version of a Jane Austen book is on. She has one cat named Goddess who is the center of the household. She also knows a lot of weird 80s and 90s pop culture facts (feel free to quiz her) and loves to play Animal Crossing.
As the Digital Services Librarian, Chanda is really excited about the library’s new 3-D printer. The library bought its first one roughly 10 years ago and there have been many advancements made in how they are built and operate. She is looking forward to setting up and running the new one so she can offer to print for the public. Chanda is a self-taught macramé creator, able to look at almost any piece and recreate it. She enjoys offering macramé classes at the library in addition to technology and computer classes.
After managing retail book stores for many years, Rich decided it was time for a career change in hopes of something more fulfilling. He made the move to libraries, starting part time at Gaston County Public Library, before taking the role of Branch Manager at the Claremont Branch Library in 2006. In the 18 years Rich has been at the Claremont Branch, he has become a fixture and familiar face for his patrons. He enjoys working at a small town library because he has the opportunity to know his patrons by name and their individual stories.
Rich enjoys when patrons come to him with a problem and they can troubleshoot the issue together, whether it is looking for new materials to read, technology issues, or job applications. He recently helped walk someone through the process of signing up for Hoopla and Libby (library reading apps) and they walked out with a smile on their face, making his day. Helping the community brings Rich a tremendous amount of joy and pride.
In the past year, Rich has become a big fan of Korean entertainment and pop culture. He mostly enjoys the music but he can’t help but to have favorite stars including the fandoms that come with them. Rich is excited about sharing this fun hobby with patrons during two upcoming K-pop and K-drama programs he will be co-hosting at the Main Library in Newton on June 6 and August 22.
Alexa is an alumna of UNC and ECU who loves to read! She can almost always be found listening to an audiobook on Libby or Hoopla. She is a mom of two littles and enjoys watching cooking shows and playing at the park with her kids in her free time. Fun fact: Alexa loves Nancy Drew! She grew up reading the original mysteries along with the modern stories, watching the 70s tv show, and even playing the computer games.
Alexa’s favorite thing about working at the library is all of the wonderful people she gets to meet. She loves getting to know everyone in her community and building relationships with them based on a love of books and making sure they have access to services, programs, and resources.
For Alexa, libraries are a place where people can go and ask questions, like how to use their new tablet/smartphone, without feeling judged and receive free help! Libraries provide so many services, resources,information,connections, and access. She can’t think of a better way to serve her community. Of all of the library’s services, Alexa is a big fan of Hoopla and Libby, free library apps for e-books and e-audiobooks. She loves making sure people have access to books 24/7 in a way that fits any lifestyle.
Ely is from Texas but really enjoys living in Catawba County, especially because of the phenomenal parks and library systems. Ely is a hobby collector, a plant person, and talented crafter. She can crochet, knit, cross stitch, and is currently taking a stained glass class (most of these she learned from the amazing resources at the library)!
Ely is currently in school to get her MLIS and hopes to be a future librarian for the Catawba County Library System. She loves to see what new books are coming out, constantly growing her “to be read” pile because there is always something new and exciting to read. Ely originally wanted to work in a library to be around all the books but it turns out libraries are so much more than just books. The library helps people with all kinds of things like finding books, applying for jobs, schoolwork, etc…The library also does so many different things, has such a wide variety of programs, that each day brings new opportunities to try something new. It never gets boring!
Ely’s biggest love about working at the library is the people she helps. It really warms her heart to know when someone is in need, one of their first thoughts is coming to the library because they know they can find help. Ely’s favorite library service is definitely the Spanish language collection. Seeing so many great titles featuring characters like her, in her first language, is so empowering. It makes her feel at home in the library.