CLARKSVILLE, Tenn (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A long time employee of the Clarksville-Montgomery County Library was honored by the County Mayor on Tuesday, July 16. Mrs. Jean Nichols, children and young adults supervisor, is retiring after 32 years of service.
Mrs. Jean came to the Library in 1987. “I had worked in two previous libraries in [Kitzingen] Germany,” said Mrs. Jean. “I really liked the work. That’s what I wanted to do in my life.”
Mrs. Jean remembers when the Library moved from Main Street in 1998. She has watched the Library grow over the years, including the move to a digital checkout system. She looks forward to watching that growth continue with the addition of a North Clarksville branch.
Mrs. Jean is best known for her work in children’s programming. She is particularly proud of the Summer Reading Program and Story Time events. “It’s an integral part of library service to provide education as well as entertaining programs for children. I have found it to be the best part of my job, interacting with children and bringing the joy of story to them.”
In 2000, she received the Dan Taylor Award for excellence in children’s services. “You’re only allowed to win it one time. They kept it a secret from me. I was blown away and couldn’t even speak.”
Library staff again surprised Mrs. Jean on Tuesday, July 16, when County Mayor Jim Durrett presented her with an official proclamation thanking her for her years of service. Library Director Ms. Martha Hendricks then presented her with a key to the Library.
This is Mrs. Jean’s last week at the Library. When asked what comes next, she said she looks forward to spending time with her husband and mother, visiting her children and telling her own stories. She will also remain a regular patron at the Library. “I’m not a lady that goes out and buys her books. We check them out in my family.”