This year, the Wylie East library gained two new staff members: Mrs. Kristy Unger (Library Media Specialist) and Mrs. Libby Melton (Library Assistant). 

Before coming to Wylie East, what were you doing?

• • • Unger: I was a librarian at Harrison Intermediate, so same job but different grade levels.
    • Melton: I was a librarian at Birmingham Elementary.

What are your goals for this year?

• • • Unger: One of my biggest goals is making sure that everyone knows that they’re welcome here, that we can provide things for them and that we can be a place for people to hang out or do work or whatever they need. Basically just making sure everyone understands the community aspect of the library.
    • Melton: Student engagement is a really big part of what we’re trying to do this year, with bringing kids in and making them feel welcome because this is a safe space.

How did you get into library sciences?

• • • Unger: I was a teacher first, although I always kind of wanted to be a librarian because it sounded fun to be around the books and to have the opportunity to share about books with kids. But first I had to be a teacher, so after doing that I went back to school to get all the certifications to be a librarian.
    • Melton: I’m actually not certified in library sciences; I’m a paraprofessional, so I’m truly Mrs. Unger’s assistant.

What’s your favorite part of working in the library?

• • • Unger: I like that the library is kind of a no-stress zone in the school. It’s fun to be a place where people can come and it’s not about grades or expectations. For teachers as well; we help the staff a lot, and it’s nice to be a support for them. Being a teacher myself, I understand all the pressures that they have to deal with, so I always want to try to lend a hand to them.
    • Melton: A really cool quote that I heard one time is that your teachers are like your moms: you have to do what they say, follow all the rules. But the librarians are like your cool aunts, where you can visit and not necessarily get away with everything, but it’s a fun place to be. There’s less pressure.

What’s the most exciting thing you’ve experienced so far this school year?

• • • Unger: I think the biggest thing is that there’s been a lot of participation in the fun activities that we’ve done, because we didn’t know what to expect coming here. Having the kids come and want to spend time in the library, feeling like we’re someone they look forward to seeing each day, and that we’re providing something they wouldn’t have had before is a really neat feeling. We also had a lot of fun giving out butterbeer because everyone was so happy when they were drinking it.
    • Melton: I’ve been really impressed with how much the kids have enjoyed the activities like the butterbeer and stuff. Going from elementary to high school, I wondered if the kids would be as engaged in the fun, nerdy activities, but they definitely have been.

QOTD: If you were an ice cream flavor, what would you be?

Unger: Probably chocolate, because it’s a safe choice that most people like.

Melton: Vanilla bean, because I’m just plain and simple, but surprisingly good!