Prescott Library Gets Staff Makeover

PRESCOTT - Patrons who haven't visited the Prescott library in awhile are sure to be met by a smiling face, though that face may not be familiar. The Prescott Branch of the Walla Walla County Rural Library District - which also includes branches in Plaza Way, Touchet, Burbank, Vista Hermosa and a Walla Walla service center - recently welcomed two new clerks and a new manager.

Sharon Psenak, of Waitsburg, was hired as a substitute clerk in April, but moved into the Library Clerk position recently vacated by Prescott's Susan Seagraves. Cathy Gregory of Burbank was also hired in April, and works as a substitute clerk.

Former Prescott Library Branch Manager and WWCRLD Youth Services Librarian Lara Schnick was forced to resign her position due to health reasons in May. Schnick is a College Place resident who came on board as Prescott Branch Manager in March of last year and completed her Masters in Library Science during her first month on the job.

Just a few of Schnick's accomplishments in her short time as manager include organizing theme day-specific events such as Gaming Day, Batman Day and Pajama Storytime, procuring the headline performers for WWCRLD's 2013 and 2014 district-wide Summer Reading Programs and bringing in district funds via two grants.

Schnick officially handed her baton to Jessica Welch, who recently moved to Prescott from the Tri-Cities, on May 15. Welch is currently working on her Bachelor's in Elementary Education and has ten years experience in elementary education, working in daycare centers and as a personal nanny. She also spent three months working at Finley Middle School as a sign language interpreter.

Welch, who was homeschooled her last two years of high school, says she is self-taught in sign and became interested in the language after popping an eardrum while scuba diving and losing hearing in her left ear. She used a sign language dictionary and Barnes & Noble flashcards to teach herself American Sign Language (ASL) while immersing herself in the deaf population to gain proficiency. She enjoys interpreting for others and teaching ASL to infants to make it easier for them to communicate.

It's that kind of self-motivation and determination that makes Schnick confident that Welch is the right person for the job. "In all my years working at libraries and doing other jobs she's been the quickest to pick up on training. With her technology background and knowing that I don't have to train on Storytime, it eased a lot of anxiety on my part," said Schnick.

Schnick is also pleased that Welch lives in Prescott where it will be easier for her to participate in the community. Welch spent her first week on the job meeting with the Prescott Lions, the Parks & Recreation Board, the Pomegranate Foundation and the elementary school principal. Welch plans to work closely with the community on event dates and times so that they will complement rather than compete with each other. Welch said the community, especially the Lions Club, has been incredibly supportive.

"I have no regrets because of who's replacing me here," said Schnick. "Local, and with the background that she has and the excitement and ideas that she already has, it's just a win-win for Prescott. To any Prescott library patrons, I want to say that it's been an honor to serve the community as your librarian and I thank you for your support. Trust me when I say your library is definitely in good hands."