Small Town, Big Impact: Inside a Rural Library That Delivers
What does a school librarian look like in a rural community?
In Marion, Illinois, librarian Kristi Pierce has built a program that goes far beyond books, including a student-powered book delivery service that keeps reading accessible for everyone.
Her story is a reminder of how librarians across the country are redefining what a library can be.
Q: What is your current title/role at your school?
Kristi:
My title is Librarian, but I’m more like the “Jack of All Trades” for my building.
I am also the 1:1 Coordinator, meaning I run our Chromebook management and repair program. I fix copiers and any tech we have in the building. I offer curriculum support to all the teachers, and occasionally I even fix glasses and shoes!
Q: How many years have you been at your current school?
Kristi:
I was a student here for 3 years (more years ago than I want to admit) and 23 as an educator.
Q: What does it feel like to now lead the same library you used as a student?
Kristi:
Being at “my” library is so special. I know that very few people get the honor to teach in the district where they grew up, and fewer still get to become THE librarian.
Plus, because of my background as a former student, I came in knowing the culture of the school and area so well already, I was able to immediately begin making our library a well-rounded 21st-century hub for the school.
Kristi Pierce, JGH Librarian, Marion, IL
Q: Do you remember a moment when the library really mattered to you?
Kristi:
My librarian in Junior High gave me the book “The Castle in the Attic” as a 6th grader. I LOVED that book. I went on to read more mysteries and more animal books, and it hasn’t stopped since.
(Funny side note: He and his wife were also my Sunday School teachers, and I took his place when he retired.)
Without adults who were committed to helping me learn to read and show me so many wonderful books, I would not be where I am today.
Q: Can you share a little about your community?
Kristi:
Marion is a wonderful town in Southernmost Illinois. Marion has a population of 17,500 people now, but at its heart, it still has the small-town vibe. We are also just a short drive from some of the most beautiful county in the state: the Shawnee National Forest!
When I say we have history, we have a lot of history, some amazing and some contentious, but all important to remember. The “Trail of Tears” went through our area, (you can still drive on a portion of the trail,) a Lincoln Douglas Debate was held about a 30 minute drive away, many indigenous peoples lived in the area and there are existing archeological sites… Our students are surrounded by history!
Many of our kids hunt, fish, hike, ride horses, ride ATVs, boat, and kayak. We have a lot of farming still, too. Because of the rural setting and close access to wilderness areas, outdoor activities are a big draw.
What is unique is that even with all of the “new,” it still has that small-town feel! I can still go to the store, strike up a conversation, and probably know someone’s people or even be related to them. Small rural town life!
Q: How does the size of your community shape the way your library operates?
Kristi:
Since we are a rural district and funding can sometimes be a struggle, our library has always had a student team to assist, even when I was a student here. It is an honor to be on the team.
With the help of about 18 students, as I am the only adult in the library, we serve our patrons with dedicated visit schedules for all of our ELA classes, plus walk-ins are always welcome!
One feature our patrons love is the book delivery service. Due to all of the COVID rules back in 2019, my library team and I tried to come up with ways to still get books into kids' hands. Using our library software, we figured out that putting a hold on a book was similar to making an online order. We then began a book delivery service that we still keep up today! Kids and teachers alike love the convenience! Teachers especially love that students don’t miss instructional minutes because students are traveling the halls.
The student team is amazing, as they are excellent representatives and are fantastic at giving book suggestions to their peers. I don’t know what I would do without the Library Team! They are the G.O.A.T.s! It is a lot of work maintaining such a vibrant program, but it is well worth it to make sure every student has a chance to visit the library!
Q: How does your library reflect the needs of your community?
Kristi:
Being a rural area, exposure to amazing things this world has is sometimes lacking. Some of my students have never seen the ocean, except for on a screen.
Our library is built with those ideas in mind. I have worked hard to bring in books for every single student we have.
Many students need positive social interactions with their peers, so I brought in games and other “buffer” activities that are non-digital that encourage communication and collaboration in a fun way!
Q: Where does JLG fit into your work?
Kristi:
The librarian before me, the one who was my librarian as a kid, saw the benefits of JLG and began a JLG subscription for our library for many, many years. When I became the librarian, I continued that subscription and even expanded it!
The curated collection provides me with a steady stream of new books for the students to read each month. It is an essential service that keeps kids reading!
Q: How does JLG affect your workload and students?
Kristi:
JLG lessens my workload. The “packing” emails, where I can preview the books, are a boon to my busy schedule. For decades, I have trusted their recommendations and have always been very pleased with the quality of the titles.
My students literally look for “those books with the gold stickers” to check out. They know when they see that, they are going to get something good to read! The gold sticker means “it's a winner!”
Anything I can do to get kids reading and give them choices they like and need is worth it!
Photo by Ruhe1986 at Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Q: What might surprise people about working in a rural library?
Kristi:
How interested students are in discovering new subjects, and how… it is often still a book that introduces them to something, some person, some place, some idea that just completely revolutionizes their worlds.
Kids from rural areas don't always have the experiences city kids have...sometimes this is a really good thing, but other times, it limits the scope of their imagination. They simply don't know what they don't know. It is with the help of great books (and amazing teachers) that our students see a world of possibilities!
Q: What would you want other small-town librarians to know?
Kristi:
You are not alone. You are doing wonderfully!
Don’t lose sight of the overarching goal of creating and keeping readers because you might be the one person in a kid’s life who helps make them a lifelong reader, and that is something to be proud of!
At its core, Kristi’s work shows that no matter the size or setting, a library can open worlds, spark curiosity, and ensure every student finds their way to a story that matters.
