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MORTON, Ill. (AP) — From work in public relations to transitioning to the library field, Alissa Williams has found her place as the new Morton Public Library director.
Williams will replace Janice Sherman, who held onto the director position for 36 years, as the fourth director in the library's 91-year history.
"We're fortunate to have such longevity in the community," Williams said. "We're excited for the possibility to plant roots here."
Williams grew up in Portland, Oregon, and moved to Illinois to attend Bradley University for her bachelor's degree.
Williams first began her work in the library field in 2002, when she was hired at the Pekin Public Library doing its public relations.
Her decision to make a career in libraries was an easy one.
"I was in an advertising agency prior to working at the library and it was a lot more fun to sell the library than to sell carpet," Williams said. "I really feel like I found the right place for me, because as an avid reader, I already knew the importance of books and reading."
To help advance professionally in the library, Williams attended the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and graduated in 2007 with a master of library and information science degree. She became the Pekin Public Library's assistant director.
Bringing her knowledge of public relations will add to the Morton library's already heavily-engaged community involvement.
"Community involvement and community relations was a big priority with the board. I have always been interested and I have done this in Pekin, finding ways for the library to partner with local businesses or local organizations, and being a resource for those organizations and businesses," Williams said.
While at Pekin's library, Williams led the Big Read fall event, a community wide reading program made possible by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts.
"That was a very successful coalition with the high school," Williams said.
Also at Pekin, Williams was active in the Pekin Chamber of Commerce, the YWCA-Pekin's Coalition for Equality and served on the Pekin Salvation Army Advisory Board.
Williams began her new position at the Morton library May 12 and will work with Sherman until her last day June 26.
"I've worked with Janice most of my library career and I have a great respect for what she's done here and the way she has continued to offer new innovated services for the library," Williams said. "I just want to continue to build on that great reputation."
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Source: Pekin Daily Times, http://bit.ly/1FYdr61
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Information from: Pekin Daily Times, http://www.pekintimes.com
This is an Illinois Exchange story offered by the Pekin Daily Times.
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