The Daviess County Library Board of Trustees and library staff celebrated Jan Johnson’s 30th Anniversary as library director at their December Christmas breakfast meeting.
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Members of Jan’s family as well as families of the board and staff also attended.
Jan was presented a watch to mark the occasion of her 30 years of service and to commemorate her many achievements. Under Jan’s leadership, the library has grown from a small, old-fashioned, traditional library with a "quiet" atmosphere of books to a spacious, vibrant, newly-remodeled building.
Daviess County Library is modern inside and out – now featuring a lot more that just books!
Over its 62-year history, Daviess County Library has always strived to fill the needs of the patron. Today the library offers special areas and services to meet the desires of all users: children’s castle, teen section, public computers, hi-speed wireless Internet, and a computer lab.
The library has continued to change and expand. Though updates and improvements are vital, the director and staff strive to maintain the personal, friendly patron service upon which the library was founded.
Prior to Jan’s promotion to the position of director, she had been a member of the staff and an active patron. In addition, Jan’s mother, Hazel Gibbens, was also on the staff and served as interim director. At the time of Jan’s appointment to director in 1979, the library had already moved from its original location in the Van Dyke Building on North Main Street to the historic, Victorian two-story home at 215 North Main. Then, in 1995 the library purchased the present location at 306 West Grand.
Jan has been instrumental in writing numerous grants that allowed many new programs and additional services, such as a state grant to purchase a van for outreach services. Daviess County Library was one of two in Missouri that was gifted funds from the office of the President of the United States.
The Pattonsburg branch, which opened in 1952, was closed due to the ‘93 flood. The Jamesport branch opened in 1955 and continues to provide services. At one time the library also operated a bookmobile and continues book delivery service to various areas in our county.
Jan reports the library will continue to grow and offer additional services. Plans include expanding the children’s computer area, developing digital format in the genealogy department, increasing gaming programs, introducing electronic books, and updating the conference room. It is the mission of the library board and director to increase patrons’ access to the latest and most updated technology and equipment, the latest in books, and the best resources.
Jan says, "Since 1979, the library has changed drastically. Having a supportive board and staff has enabled us to move forward and stay abreast of all the new changes. It’s always challenging and fun to tackle a new project and I look forward to the coming years."