The library recently presented its Employee of the Year Awards to Jen Martin, Greg Turnage , Janet Lewis and Mary Thompson. The awards are always special because recipients are nominated by their coworkers.
Jen Martin of the Slidell Library received the Librarian of the Year award. “This is my 4th year at STPL as a Children’s Librarian. I worked at Causeway for a year and it was a dream year! I still miss my Causeway family. When Miss Mim retired, I had the opportunity to move to Slidell. Hers were big shoes to fill, but luckily I inherited a brood of little ducks to ease the transition. (Singing 5 Little Ducks at the end of every storytime is a serious Slidell tradition). I love being close to home and serving my community in such a big branch,” said Martin. “I’m surprised and honored by this award, especially knowing my colleagues. We have so many highly qualified librarians that I look up to and rely on for professional advice and on-the-job support.”
Greg Turnage of the Slidell Library received one of the Full-Time Employee of the Year awards. “I have been working for the library system for a little over seven years. I am a library associate and dabble in a little of everything when I can. Book repair, teaching computers, e-readers and using really bad puns whenever an opportunity presents itself,” said Turnage. “I was very surprised to win the award. I work among so many wonderful people that I would never imagine I would be one picked for this honor.”
Janet Lewis of Madisonville received the Part-time Employee of the Year award. “I have been working for STPL about 4 1/2 years. I just love what I do. It brings me so much joy to see little ones get excited about books. I like adding special things for the kids like making little bookmarks and coloring sheets for them for each season,” said Lewis. “I also work with a wonderful group of ladies here at the Madisonville Branch and all the people who work for STPL are truly wonderful people,” said Lewis.
Mary Thompson, Circulation Manager at the Madisonville Library, also received the Full-time Employee of the Year award. “I've been with STPL for nine years now, with the last three years as Circulation Manager at the Madisonville Branch. Prior to that, I worked as a Library Associate at the Covington Branch for six years,” said Thompson. “I am so grateful and appreciative of this award! I love working here, and feel like I have the best job in the world. I get to work with a great staff who love coming to work just as much as I do, and together we get to service the best patrons and community ever!”
