BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Most people in the community who use the Bay Minette Public Library know Mark Manry. Manry, 45, is a clerk there.

“I do what needs to be done,” Manry said with a smile. He added that he enjoys meeting patrons, especially the “ones I’ve known for years,” and helping them find what they need. He’s been at the library for 14 years.

But that was not Manry’s first choice of a career. If not for a bike accident his senior year at Auburn University, he’d be an attorney today.

“I just don’t think fast enough for the courtroom,” he said. A few “big” words properly used assures someone talking to him that there is nothing wrong with Manry’s intellect, but getting ideas out is a problem.

Manry’s physical troubles started while a senior at Auburn.

“It was a lovely Saturday,” he said, “and I thought I’d go for a (bike) ride.”

The last thing Manry remembers clearly was, “going downhill.”

No one knows for sure what happened, but Manry fell, hitting the right side of his head against the curb.

Because the brain is encased in fluid, something doctors call “coup contrecoup,” injuries may occur when the brain “bounces” inside the skull following trauma.

An online report from the Mayo Clinic describes it this way: “When the head is struck from the front, back or sides, the brain is quickly thrust forward and then again backward against the inside of the skull. This can cause localized brain damage in the area of the initial impact, on the opposite side of the skull, or in both places.”

Manry does not remember a lot about the accident, which apparently did not involve another vehicle. The coma and lengthy hospitalization afterward is a blur.

Manry does have one piece of advice.

“Be sure to tell everyone to wear a bike helmet. It’s really important.”

Manry volunteers when he can with the Baldwin County Humane Society and the North Baldwin Ecumenical Association. He’s also been active with the local Kiwanis Club.

“I like volunteering,” he said. “Not only am I dong things I can do, it makes me feel good. It gives me a sense of accomplishment.”

Manry has also been a “volunteer bailiff.” Manry describes the job as helping move paperwork through his section of the court.

“I thought at the time I could go back to (studying) law,” he said. “I still had that dream.”

He has also given youngsters piano lessons.

While still a bailiff, Manry set his heart on joining the library.

“Friends and former librarian Rose Smith helped me with that,” Manry said.

Those friends also got him his dog, Belle, after a previous dog passed away.

They brought Belle in, and that was it,” said Manry.