Above all, Jacque wants to create a welcoming and nurturing environment where kids—and adults—know they’ll always be welcome. She sees the same kid-first spirit that drives her when she views the community as a whole and greatly appreciates how people unite in their love for their children. Jacque says the community is all-in when something is great for the kids. She provides countless examples, from the county high school’s CEO program and athletics to the theater and band. Regardless of the situation, if the children are involved, the community shows up to rally behind them. Ultimately, she considers Jasper County an area where you can ‘just relax and be okay being yourself.'

 

While Jacque started at the library in 2018, she has spent the last fifteen years focused on the youth of Jasper County. She began as a Title One Aide, providing one-on-one attention to students with additional needs by helping improve their reading and math skills. She spent her days meeting kids where they were, addressing their unique struggles as she partnered with them to close the gap between the student’s abilities and general classbased expectations.

 

Although Jacque enjoyed the classroom environment, the one-on-one support she provided, and helping her students grow, she’s always been drawn to the written word. She shares that her family moved around a bit while growing up and that literature was a constant in her life. Jacque eventually graduated from Teutopolis and Northern Illinois University in DeKalb before settling down. Or, as Jacque tells it, she ‘married a farmer from Newton.’

 

A middle child and no stranger to transitions, reading has been a significant part of her life for as long as she can remember. “I was an escapist when it comes to my reading style. It was always a great way to meet things wherever they were. From far-off destinations to Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. Wherever I wanted to go, a book could take me there.”

 

Jacque’s first library experience was in college during her semester of student teaching. The teacher she shadowed spent an hour of her day in the library. Jacque smiles as she looks back, saying that the library also became part of her job as a result.

 

Jacque says, “I enjoy working with the kids, taking care of the books, and finding that spark by suggesting a book I think they’ll like. I think reading is important. It brings your imagination to life. There’s nothing like just sitting with a book and letting that world circulate in your brain, taking you off to wherever you want to go. Regardless of where you are, you can be anywhere in your imagination.”

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She adds, “Ultimately, it’s finding the book that matches the kid—or the adult—pairing great combos together.”

 

When Newton Public Library posted an opening for a librarian, Jacque quickly applied. She laughs and shares that while considering herself a natural for the position, the library initially disagreed, selecting a more experienced candidate. But that individual left soon thereafter, and Jacque was quickly hired to fill the role and has built up the library’s programming and presence within the community, sharing that even when she’s on vacation, she’ll often stop off at a random library or two with the intent of learning what makes them unique, hunting for ideas and inspiration.

 

Over the past five years, Jacque has been busy finding new and creative ways to engage with the community. Last winter, the library hosted a Horticulturist from the University of Illinois Extension Center to teach gardening, a series of classes that Jacque shares were well received and brought in a diverse group of residents.

 

The library hosts reading-focused events such as book clubs, book signings, summer reading programs, and children’s storytime. These events wouldn’t have been possible without Jacque’s staff and community volunteers. “Everyone is so great. They’re either retired teachers or parents with kids; they love everybody that enters the door,” says Jacque.

 

The library will host additional events to unite the community’s residents through unique and interactive opportunities. They include a summer swim party at the Newton Aquatic Center, a quilt block project, and a Roots Music Program coordinated in partnership with the Embarrass River Tourism Council. The event includes free ukulele lessons for anyone in third grade.

 

Ultimately, this year’s summer program focuses on Finding Your Voice, which Jacque describes as ‘finding whatever you love and going full force.’ Whether it’s music or writing or baking cookies, whatever you love and have that passion for, she says the library is there, encouraging you to find it.

 

Tying it all together, Jacque shares, “That’s why we have a wide selection of things to read about. To help you search for your voice and get where you can find it.”

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If you are interested in volunteering, want to share your passion and/or expertise with the community, or have a programming idea, please visit www.newtonpl.com to reach out.