Katelyn Pommer and Elizabeth Carlson

The Garden Public Library in Wakefield has hired Katelyn Pommer as its new full-time director. Her first official day was Oct. 3.
“We’ve got such a wonderful library and an amazing community who supports us. I love seeing how much this library means to its community, and I can’t wait to help carry on serving this community,” Pommer said.
Pommer replaced former director Elizabeth Carlson who served in the role for approximately 5 years. Carlson left the position to move to Kearney to be closer to her grandchildren. Pommer has been job shadowing Carlson for the last few weeks.
“I think one of the things I’ll enjoy the most is the people. I love getting to connect to people, and I think there is no better way than through books. But I am also a huge book lover and supporter of reading,” she said. “I look forward to being able to help others find their love of reading or their next favorite read.”
Earning her bachelor’s degree in English Writing with a minor in editing and publishing, becoming a librarian was something she had been thinking about for the last few months and the current opportunity “felt like a sign.”
Pommer has a few ideas that are on her mind for the library, but nothing official or concrete yet.
“I would definitely like to add more programs for our middle grade and high school students. I think reading is super important, and I would love to be able to offer students a chance to check out the library and all we offer. We already offer an adult book club, but I would love to start a book club for the younger student readers out there,” she said. “At some point, I would also be interested in starting a writing help desk. I would also like to open up ways for the community to recommend books they’d like for us to have here at the library. Our library also has a lot of great programs that I plan to continue.”
The library is located at 114 W. Third St. and is open Monday through Saturday. Hours of operations include 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
For more information, call 40-287-2334 or visit their website at gardnerpubliclibrary.com.