Librarian Loves Reading Books

LINCOLN — It all began with the author Laura Ingalls Wilder books for Dianna Payne.

Payne, who is director of the Lincoln Public Library, said she has loved reading since reading Little House in the Big Woods by Wilder.

“I read all of her books and have even read some of them over again,” Payne said.

Payne enjoys reading inspirational books, biographies and Janice Holt Giles, as well as keeping a set of Wilder’s books at home.

Payne was made library director in February after the resignation of Nicky Morris.

Payne said she enjoyed working for Morris as an assistant librarian.

“It has been a little overwhelming,” Payne said about being made director at a time when a temporary library had been set up at the Lincoln Community Center as a new library was about to be built.

“At first I was totally lost without Nicky, but everybody has been very supportive,” Payne said, adding she appreciates Belinda Beasley, librarian assistant, and Sandy Cox, part-time librarian.

“They have been a lot of help,” Payne said.

Payne said she has been keeping a list of books the library patrons enjoy reading, so she can order what people like to read.

Lincoln library is more than books though, according to Payne. There are computers, movies that can be checked out, music CDs, magazines and much more.

“I didn’t know anything about stocking a library,” Payne said. “I had to get used to it and take one day at a time.”

Payne added the staff at Washington County Public Library System had helped her a lot.

“It opened my eyes to what a library has to keep up with from romance, western, fiction, nonfiction, adults, boys and girls, so all of them have new stuff to read,” Payne said. “If we don’t have what someone is looking for, we will try hard to get it. We are in the service of helping people.”

“I have always loved libraries,” Payne said, adding she helped in a school library when she was a substitute teacher and before graduating high school had worked at both the middle and high school libraries, however it wasn’t the same as having to manage a library system.

“We really care about our patrons as they are family to us,” Payne said. “We enjoy them coming in and visiting, even taking time for a laugh. It brightens our day.

“Our vision is for the people of Lincoln to be successful in all areas of their lives and if we can help provide some of the tools to bring this about, then we are very happy.”

Payne said she is ready to see the new library facility being started. Construction was set to begin last week.

“We hope to keep our community up-to-date with the latest information on the new library,” Payne said.

“We want the new library to be practical, comfortable and restful,” Payne said. “We want people to come in and stay awhile.”

Payne said the library director’s job has been very satisfying. “It is awesome, a great job and a blessing.”

Payne worked three years for the Washington County Enterprise-Leader before going to work in July 2009 for the Lincoln Public Library.

PAT HARRIS ENTERPRISE-LEADER Dianna Payne, library director, looks over a book as she sits at the Lincoln Public Library desk. Payne has loved reading since she read author Laura Ingalls Wilder books.

PAT HARRIS ENTERPRISE-LEADER Sandy Cox, left, Dianna Payne and Belinda Beasley help Lincoln Public Library patrons find what they want whether it is books, movies, music or magazines. Computers are also available for library patrons.