The following article was submitted by Julia Lee, the Youth Services Manager with the Manitowoc Public Library.
Hello, Friends!
My name is Julia Lee and I’ve been the Youth Services Manager at Manitowoc Public Library for the past five years. I remember my first day—May 1, 2017—very well. I was freezing. I had come from Mankato, Minnesota where the unseasonably warm weather had already brought temperatures of 80 degrees. Naturally, I had packed all my summer clothes to take with me to my new job in my home state. It was bound to be warmer there than in Minnesota! I showed up in capris and sandals my first day—and that was when I truly learned the meaning of “Cooler by the Lake!”
In the five following years, I learned so much more about the community, the beautiful lakeshore, and the Library (especially the amazing staff!). I told people I had won the job lottery, and truly meant it. Together with the best team of people I could have ever hoped for, we reshaped what Youth Services means to Manitowoc Public Library to be a more welcoming and inclusive place where all can come to enjoy a storytime, a fun program, or just find that perfect book.
Under the leadership of former Executive Director, Kristin Stoeger, our ideas were encouraged and staff were inspired to try new things. We soon started planning big, beloved community events, such as our popular Touch the Trucks and Trunk-or-Treat, which now regularly get over 1,000 people in attendance. Family Activity Nights on Tuesdays blossomed into staple programs such as Reading to Certified Therapy Dogs, Family Prom, Kitty Parties with the Lakeshore Humane Society, Unicorn Parties, and classes hosted by Glaze & Paint, to name a few. A few years later, we added new things to our circulating collection: ukuleles and board games! Just last year, we added video games for circulation.
The biggest challenge I’ve faced in my career came in March 2020 when we had to close our doors because of the global pandemic. The world was in disarray and no one knew what was coming next. In those dark times, the staff at Manitowoc Public Library cared about one thing: continuing to serve the community in any way possible. We turned our service models on their heads to make curbside pick-up possible. A few months later, we had our very first virtual program.
Over the next year, the Youth Staff would provide regular virtual field trips to provide families a way to explore their communities while we had to stay apart. The community loved the field trips! What few people saw was the dedication of the staff to learn and master iMovie so we could produce our own quality videos. Finally, we started offering Grab & Go activities for families to be able to do something at home together. It was a time of great stress, but also a time of innovation, creativity, and teamwork. I’ve never been prouder.
Through it all, the Library keeps on growing and evolving to meet the needs of the community. Despite the ups and downs of the years, the library is truly a community place for everyone. The library welcomes all, has resources for all, and represents all ideas. It is a place of Intellectual Freedom and where your right to read is upheld by dedicated library staff. It is a place where all have a voice—not just the loudest or the majority. It grows and evolves with its community and I know that it will continue to do so for as long as it serves Manitowoc and the surrounding communities.
It’s difficult to believe that my time as Youth Services Manager is coming to a close—as of May 20, I’ll no longer be behind the wheel of the Youth Department. But, I know that the truly wonderful Management Team and extraordinary staff of Manitowoc Public Library will continue working, growing, and adapting to meet the needs of our diverse community. I want to thank all the staff for being the best people to work with and to the families for entrusting me to provide services to their children and teens.
Keep reading!