Library Interim Co-Directors:
Priscilla Berggren-Thomas
& Kay Zaharis
director@cortlandfreelibrary.org
Assistant to the Director / Adult Services Manager: Theresa Mekeel
reference@cortlandfreelibrary.org
What’s your role at the library? What are your (main) responsibilities? As Assistant to the Director and Adult Services Manager, I try to make sure daily activities at the library run smoothly by assisting the Director in any way that I am able, making sure staff have the tools, materials & information needed to do their jobs, and meeting needs of the patrons, providing them a pleasant experience at the library.
What’s your background? My husband and I were directors of Cortland Bible Club Camp (mainly a youth camp, but we did hold adult events as well) for over 20 years. We held 8 weeks of summer camp as well as off-season retreats – we have many that still call us “aunt” and “uncle” from those years! I’ve also worked as a bookkeeper and as a substitute with OCM BOCES. I have been at Cortland Free Library since 2013.
What else should we know about you? I love spending time with my family (husband, 5 children, their spouses & my granddaughter!) I have 2 cats – Alexander & Catalano. 🙂 I love to read (of course) and sew.
What’s your favorite thing about the library/something people should know about the library? It’s not just about books! We do have a lot of those, but we also have & offer much, much more.
What are you currently reading/watching/listening to (and/or what are some of your favorite books, movies, artists, albums, etc.)? Some of my favorite authors include Linda Castillo, Karen Slaughter, Paula Munier, Lynette Eason, and Tracie Peterson, but I am always trying new authors also! Mission Impossible, National Treasure, Indiana Jones, The Librarian and the Avenger movies are favorites, and Unforgettable, Crime Scene Kitchen, Monk, Perception, and Guy’s Grocery Games are my go-to TV shows.
Youth Services Librarian: Tammy Sickmon
What’s your role at the library? What are your (main) responsibilities? As Youth Services Librarian, I purchase and maintain our youth library collection; conduct research and reader’s advisory; develop age-appropriate programming and activities for ages birth to 18 years for the library as well as within the community.
What’s your background? I received a Masters of Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and have worked in public libraries with children for 27 years, 19 of which as a Children’s Librarian.
What else should we know about you? I live in Homer, NY with my husband, two children, our dog, cat and lots of chickens. I enjoy reading, camping, hiking, boating and spending time with family and friends.
What’s your favorite thing about the library/something people should know about the library? That the library is a community center that is free and accessible for everyone.
What are you currently reading/watching/listening to (and/or what are some of your favorite books, movies, artists, albums, etc.)? Some of my favorite authors are Kristin Hannah, Lisa Gardner, Liane Moriarty and Sarah J. Maas. As in books, I love all genres of movies and I gravitate towards classical, musical theatre and rock music.
Library Materials & Cataloging Specialist: Aimee Dorward
cataloging@cortlandfreelibrary.org
What’s your role at the library? What are your (main) responsibilities? As the Library Cataloging and Materials Specialist I have two main responsibilities: adding all new library materials to the catalog and compiling lists of adult items for possible purchase.
What’s your background? I am a Cortland native who has worked at the library in some capacity since 1999.
What else should we know about you? Dog owner. Novice bird watcher. Sports fanatic. TV, movie, and music enthusiast.
What’s your favorite thing about the library/something people should know about the library? I love how some items in the library (books, check-out cards) have been around for decades.
What are you currently reading/watching/listening to (and/or what are some of your favorite books, movies, artists, albums, etc.)? I am a fan of true-crime content, comedy shows or movies, animal stories, and anything sports related.
Circulation Desk Assistant: Kristen Case
Circulation Desk Assistant: William Howard
What’s your role at the library? What are your (main) responsibilities? I work as a circulation assistant, which means I spend most of my time checking materials in and out, shelving books, assisting patrons, and hunting for requests and missing books.
What’s your background? I spend my childhood moving frequently – city to city, state to state, before finally graduating high school here in Cortland. and while I may be settled here for the moment, that doesn’t mean I don’t still love to be on the move.
What’s your favorite thing about the library/something people should know about the library? I love all the cozy little corners you can curl up with a book in for hours.
What else should we know about you? Outside of work I love walking and spending hours of my time lost in my head with a new thought or idea.
What are you currently reading/watching/listening to (and/or what are some of your favorite books, movies, artists, albums, etc.)? Probably something Science Fiction – I cast a wide net for mediums of entertainment – books, TV, movies, video games, and more, but no matter how I’m consuming it I always end up returning to Sci-Fi.