ELIZABETHTOWN — Sheila Nance’s first impressions of the Bladen County Public Library are “pleased and impressed.”
Those are adjectives that, in reflection of her vision for its future, she’ll look forward to hearing from patrons. County Manager Greg Martin, through a release last Thursday, announced her hiring replacing Kelsey Edwards; she’s now director of the Sampson-Clinton Public Library System.
“I want to get the word out about how great our libraries are,” Nance said of her immediate plans. “I want to take advantage of any and all social media, advertising, signage, anything to draw attention to the space.”
And more long term, “Definitely a lot of collaboration with the schools. I feel we could work well together to help the kids of Bladen County. We’ve got so much to offer here. And they’ve done a lot of that in the past. I just want to refine and add to it. I have a lot of contacts in the school system.”
She will lead a county library system with three locations offering more than 51,500 books — not including e-books. The system has nearly 10,000 registered users or patrons, and in the calendar year prior to COVID-19 recorded nearly 22,000 visits.
Nance, the librarian and media specialist at Clarkton School of Discovery the last eight years, said she also can envision more partnership with Bladen Community College where Sherwin Rice and Christine McDonald manage the Page Student Resources Center.
“I would love to do that,” Nance said. “I’ve talked to her once or twice. That’s an amazing, upgraded library they have there. We could definitely partner.”
She said the COVID-19 restrictions throughout the county and state limited visits since early 2020, but on the positive, it did shine a light on other alternatives for libraries and education to get together.
“During distance learning in the pandemic, we offered some services with hot spots and devices,” Nance said. “That was helpful. We have a program, NC Live, that we like to share with schools for research purposes. We’d offer training for teachers, or speak to classes. We have a great e-book collection. We do interlibrary loaning, if we have books their library doesn’t. We’re very open to ideas. I’d love to hear from teachers what they need.”
The veteran of more than two decades in education wants the community to know of many opportunities to engage with the library. Those include homebound delivery; nursing home delivery; outreach programs at daycares and schools; book clubs, and summer reading programs; holiday parties; live animal exhibits; crafts, and STEM activities for kids; and the bookmobile.
Recently, the library participated in a back to school supply giveaway. STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math.
“People think just books, but there are so many more activities that are offered,” the 48-year-old said. “It really is a hub of excitement in the community.
“And it’s free!”
Nance has responsibility for a staff of 10 that includes full- and part-time workers. The list includes Monika Smith at Bridger Memorial Library in Bladenboro and Greta Jackson at Clarkton Public Library.
Martin, the county manager, is excited by her experience, enthusiasm and her vision for the future.
“I think she’s outstanding,” he said. “She has a great deal of experience in library services. She has leadership experience. She’s been chairperson of the school improvement team at Clarkton.
“She’s passionate about reading. She seems very excited about this opportunity, and we’re glad to have her and look forward to working with her.”
And Nance is excited by her staff.
“I came in and the staff is so well-organized,” she said. “They each have their own specialties and skill sets. They’ve got the work all divided up, based on their personal talents. I met with each of them, and sat down and talked with them about what they like to do and what they would like to do. I was thoroughly impressed.”
Something she hopes patrons say about the library now, and in the future.