When she's not spending time catching up with family and friends, enjoying a good book, practicing the German language with locals, or capturing a great photo at the Petoskey waterfront, Lisa Scholl can be found at the Petoskey District Library (PDL) children's department. On July 15, Lisa will be celebrating 20 years to dedicated service at PDL.
Lisa's journey at the library has included more than her work in the children’s department. Until 2022, she had worked in outreach services, where she selected and delivered books to senior apartments and living facilities once a week. Her dedication to community service didn’t stop there. In 2021, she created the Books Broaden the View program, which delivers books to the Emmet County jail once a month, ensuring that the power of reading reaches every corner of the community.
Lisa plays a vital role in the children's department, where she orders many of the children's board books and picture books and offers a Storytime program for babies. She also coordinates the library's Paws to Read program, which brings in certified therapy dogs to sit with kids while they read aloud. This innovative program has become a beloved part of the library's offerings, helping children to develop their reading skills in a fun and supportive environment.
Additionally, Lisa serves on the board for the Community Recovery Alliance, demonstrating her commitment to supporting the efforts for people in recovery in the area. Her contributions to the library and the community are deeply valued by patrons and staff alike.
“Lisa’s heartfelt love of connecting babies and families with books and songs is something she should be extremely proud of,” stated Children’s Librarian Megan Goedge, Lisa’s supervisor. "Caregivers have shared how their little ones started babbling and talking more because of Baby Storytime, a true testament to the power of connections and books."
Her work at the library provides more than just a paycheck to Lisa.
“I love working with all the staff at the library, and all the programs and services that the library offers to our community," Lisa said. "It is very gratifying to help children and families connect to books and nurture their love of reading and learning. It truly brings me joy.”
A few of Lisa’s favorite books are Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, A Wild Winter Swan by Gregory Maguire, When You Trap a Tiger by Tae Keller, A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park, Dear Street by Lindsay Zier-Vogel, Swashby and the Sea by Beth Ferry, and The Night I Followed the Dog by Nina Laden.
The next time you visit PDL, be sure to thank Lisa for her 20 years of outstanding service and her dedication to making the library a welcoming and inclusive place for all.