As of Jan. 1, Magnolia Springs Public Library has a new director. Vicki Smith replaced Alida Given after her retirement.

“My first day at work was Jan. 5, and Alida was helping me the first week,” Smith said.

Currently a resident of the oak-lined streets, Smith is not originally from this area but found it while she and her husband were visiting friends.

“I was born in Texas, grew up in Missouri and spent the last 23 years in east Texas,” she said. “I retired from teaching and library work there; 20 years in the Texas school system.”

What started as teaching soon blossomed in to a love of the library.

“I was teaching and taking my kids to the library,” she explained. “I always loved going with them to the library. My kids always loved going to the library and I thought, ‘Oh, that’d be so much fun!’”

She went back to school to get her master’s degree in library science and continued with the library until she retired.

Smith and her husband were visiting a few friends that lived down here and instantly fell in love with the community.

“We just picked this area for retirement,” Smith explained. “We’d looked at other coastal towns, but once we got here, it just had a good feel; we fell in love. We really love it here.

Since there has been a change in directors, can patrons expect a change in programs or schedules?

“There will be very little changes,” Smith said. “This library runs so smooth. We have great volunteers and our library board has been awesome. There’ll be little changes, not a whole lot. I just love this library. It’s set up so perfect for me.”

Smith says she would still like to do as many programs as the library can, keep the programs that it has, but she’d like to have more groups meet at the library.

The library will continue to have cats available for adoption on Thursdays from the Stray Love Foundation.

Smith doesn’t look at being the director of the library as a “job.”

“They say you should do what you love … and I am,” she said. “I absolutely love it here. This is just too perfect; all of this.”

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Vicki says the library is always looking for volunteers and they can always use paper goods and office supplies. Contact the library at 251-965-2305 or MagnoliaSpringsLibrary.org.

UPCOMING ACTIVITIES:

Jan. 30: Mrs. Mel’s monthly card class for Valentine’s Day

Feb. 6, 10 a.m.: Mrs. Lolly’s and Mrs. Alida’s Mardi Gras craft event and Chinese New Year celebration

Call the library for more future activities and programs.