ROBERTSDALE, Alabama -- The Baldwin County Library System held its annual Staff Development Day Friday, May 17 in the auditorium of the Central Annex in Robertsdale.

“This is something we try to do every year,” said Baldwin County Library Director Liz Reed. “It’s a way that we can give all of our librarians a bit of a break, come together and share information, learn something about our communities and have a little fun.”

All Baldwin County libraries, except the Thomas B. Norton Public Library in Gulf Shores, closed on Friday, resuming their normal schedules on Saturday, Reed said.

The event began with registration at 8 a.m., followed by primary source, where a representative of each library gave a short talk or presentation about something going on at their individual libraries.

“Our local libraries have accomplished a lot over the last year,” Reed said.

A pair of 45-minute departmental meetings followed, giving library employees an opportunity to share a wide range of subjects, including cataloging, youth services, circulation, reference and technology.

Cynthia Nall with the Robertsdale Library gave a presentation on her new library dog, Nayla, followed by lunch provided by L.A. Barbecue and the keynote address presented by Laura Poe with the Athens-Limestone Public Library.

In January, Poe was named Library Journal’s 2013 Paralibrarian of the Year.

What is a paralibrarian?

“What do you think of when I say, paralibrarian,” Poe said.

Someone said “paralegal.”

“That’s good, but let’s get a little crazy,” said Poe.

Response, “paraplegic.”

“I’ve had that one too, along with paratrooper and my favorite, paranormal,” she said. “My response was, ‘we do have a section for that I can show you.’ Simply put, a paralibrarian is someone who works at a library who does not have a master’s degree in library science.”

When she asked how many present did not have a library science degree, several hands went up.

She asked another question, “Where do you see yourself in five years? I see myself with two children graduating from high school, and I see myself getting a master’s degree in library science. I don’t know which one I’m looking forward to more. I’m definitely proud of my kids and will be there with them every step of the way, but the degree is a more personal accomplishment. Being a paralibrarian is not something I want to do for the rest of my life. I want to be a librarian. It’s more than just a profession, it’s a lifestyle and a calling.”

Poe is a library clerk at the Athens-Limestone Public Library in Athens and was featured on the cover of the March 1, 2013 issue of Library Journal.  Founded in 1876 by Melvil Dewey, Library Journal is a well-known trade publication for librarians.

Poe began her career with the Athens-Limestone Public Library in 2008 when she was hired to clean the library.  Today, she teaches classes on how to download e-books, conducts a Mystery Book Club and keeps the minutes for staff meetings.  In addition to working the research and circulation desks, Poe also promotes a homebound outreach program called At Your Door Step and serves as the library’s coordinator of volunteers.

“I would just volunteer for everything,” she said. “Everything that would come along that they needed someone to do it, I said, ‘Yeah, I can do that,’ so I did it. We just made it work.”

Poe said she wanted to share her story, not because of her accomplishment, but to encourage others.

“I just want to encourage everyone who does not have a library degree that you can do it,” she said.

Following the keynote address, afternoon sessions consisted of community programs, Reed said, including Stephanie Harrison and Linda Noble with the Baldwin County Public School System speaking on the Common Core program, and Danisha May and Suzy Hardy giving a presentation on PNC Bank’s Financial Literacy for Children program.

“I think it’s important for the afternoon sessions to be used to learn about our communities,” Reed said. “Our librarians work in our communities and the more informed we are about our communities the better.”

For the final program of the day Alan Brown, professor with the University of West Alabama, talked on “School Spirits: Ghost Stories from Alabama’s College Campuses.

“I always want our final program of the day to be fun,” Reed said, “and what can be more fun than telling ghost stories?”

The Baldwin County Library Cooperative consists of the county’s 13 local libraries, the Bookmobile and 12 book deposit stations.

The library is located in the Central Annex, 22251 Palmer St., Robertsdale. For more information contact Reed at 251-970-4010.