Page 11 - The Wayne Dispatch

Former children’s librarian hired as library director

By Carolyn Marnon She goes on to say, “Libraries are
In her free-time, she likes doing so much more than books and read-
triathlons where she swims, bikes ing. We’re a place for the community
and runs! to gather, a place to see your friends,
She has lived in Michigan all her and a place to expand your hori-
life, except for a short period of time zons!” Jody and the approximately
spent in Wisconsin. 16 employees of the library are here
She loves reading Young Adult to serve the needs of the community.
novels and social science non-fiction The library recently conducted a sur-
books. vey to learn what the community felt
She was recently certified as a the priorities were for the library
scuba diver and prefers warm water after a ballot measure was passed in
on her vacations. August giving the library 1 mil in ad-
And she lives in Northville with ditional funding. The most urgent
her yellow lab, Einstein. issue to address is the leaking roof.
Who is this woman? She is Jody Although expanded library hours,
Wolak, the new Library Director at more programming and additions to
your Wayne Public Library. the collection (books/DVDs/maga-
After a 10-year career in market- zines) are being considered, the li-
ing, Jody decided to switch careers. brary board wanted to know where
While working full-time in marketing, to focus their efforts and where the
she worked on obtaining her Master biggest impact could be made using
in Library Science. She enjoyed the feedback they receive from the
problem solving and being creative, surveys to inform their decisions.
but she also always loved libraries The library board meets on the
and literature. 2nd Wednesday of each month. Sur-
Her first library jobs were both veys were collected through January
part-time jobs as Children’s Librar- 3. The board will be able to look at
ian at the Rochester Hills library and the surveys at their January meeting.
at the Wayne library. She moved on Jody expects the library board and
to full-time employment at the staff will have their initial plans
William P. Faust Public Library of ready to share with the community
Westland as the Teen Librarian. in February or March. Until then,
Before coming back to the Wayne stop into the library and welcome
library as its director, Jody spent Jody Wolak, the new Library Director at your Wayne Public Library. Jody back to the Wayne library.
less than two years as the Youth and ing with children and loved reading background has been very helpful in “We’re entering a period of growth
Teen Director at the Chelsea library. and books since I was a young child,” promoting the library and our serv- where we’ll be able to expand our
The job as Wayne Library Direc- said Jody. “I enjoy doing library pro- ices and making connections in the services,” said Jody. “Please come
tor has turned out to be more than grams for children to adults and sen- community. I’m looking forward to check us out if you haven’t been here
she expected. “I knew I loved work- iors. I think my marketing doing more of that here in Wayne.” in awhile.”

She now has no contact with her
Trafficking, Continued from page 10
mother or older sister.
the International Auto Show and the Devaun has several tips to share.
Dream Cruise. If you see lots of traffic around a
What happened to her sister and home with men going in and out all
Bill? Devaun kept in touch with her weekend, make a call. If someone
sister for about five years; after De- has money but has no known source
vaun left the household, she says her of income, make a call. She says she
sister asked her for signs that her used to wear long sleeves all sum-
niece might be trafficked. Her sister mer, even in the heat, to cover her
eventually went to prison for being bruises and marks. Don’t be afraid
an accomplice in helping a new to call in tips. If you think someone
boyfriend flee the country. Although is in immediate danger, call the po-
Bill fled the country after Devaun lice. Otherwise, you can call tips in
was rescued, she says he is currently to the human trafficking number at
back in the country. 1-888-373-7888.

To Advertise to Every Home and Business in Wayne

Call The Wayne Dispatch at 734-641-6550
The Wayne Dispatch · January 2019 · 11