Mt. Vernon Register-News

Local

Related Photos

  • Sharon Yearwood reads a Thanksgiving story to Mt. Vernon District 80 Primary Center students Thursday afternoon. Yearwood is the new children’s librarian at C.E. Brehm Memorial Library, taking over for the recently retired Jacque Ross, who had worked for the library for 35 years. KANDACE MCCOY/REGISTER-NEWS

    images_sizedimage_323203113
November 19, 2009

New children’s librarian at Brehm

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — Sharon Yearwood is no stranger to the children’s department at the C.E. Brehm Memorial Library. After all, she used to take her students there when she taught for Mt. Vernon District 80 Schools.

Now Yearwood is getting a different view of that department as the new children’s librarian, replacing Jacque Ross, who had been with the library 35 years. Yearwood began her official duties on Nov. 3.

Yearwood’s journey to a place that has always been dear to her heart began when she retired from the Primary Center after 32 years of teaching. She began teaching fifth and sixth grades, but the last 17 years of her tenure, she taught first grade. When she retired, she turned to the library.

“I came here part time in June 2006 and worked between the first and third floors — in circulation, genealogy and the children’s department,” she said. “I used to bring my classes here and knew Jacque well — she was very gracious. When I came on here, occasionally I’d do programs for her and then she let me do the bulletin board.”

Yearwood added her love of books and teaching gave her the “best of both worlds.”

“I just liked doing the bulletin boards and programs and I still got to be with the children.”

On Thursday, Yearwood spent the day reading non-fiction as well as fiction books about Thanksgiving for the library’s Thanksgiving Story hour. She said she hopes to continue to do what she began as a teacher — instilling the love of books and reading in children.

“It’s always exciting to find that one book for a reluctant reader,” Yearwood said. “But I would also like the community as a whole to be more aware of what the library has to offer. They may not know what’s here for them and their children. And because we are tax-funded, it all goes to the library — to them. With the (B. Dalton) bookstore closing and the (FYE) music store closing, this is the best deal you can get for that because the library cards are free.”

Other programs on tap for the children’s department includes a presentation on Monday at 10 a.m. featuring Sid Milliner and Chief Lame Wolf in an interview with Bob Pemberton. On Dec. 4, Donna Rounsaville will present a Little House on the Prairie Christmas.

For more information about C. E. Brehm Memorial Library, its children's department or other departments or its programs, you may call 242-6322.

Text Only
Local
  • Herb and Garden Herb and Garden Show

    Robert and Loris Butterfield were among a large crowd making their way through the 24th Annual Herb and Garden Show at Times Square Mall Friday afternoon. Hours today are 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The event is sponsored by Herbs for Health and Fun Club and Mt. Vernon Convention and Visitors Bureau.
     

    February 11, 2012 1 Photo

  • Village offering chat and performance

    MT. VERNON – The Jefferson County Historical Village is offering two opportunities to learn about history in February.

    February 11, 2012

  • Society to hold open meeting

    MT. VERNON— The National MS Society is hosting an open town hall meeting in Mt. Vernon Outland Airport’s Banquet Room Sunday.

    February 11, 2012

  • Principal shares information about school

    MT. VERNON – City Schools District 80 Primary Center Principal Shannon Marler provided the District 80 Board of Education with an update on the school at the latest board meeting.

    February 11, 2012

  • Check Bluford students collect donation

    BLUFORD — There probably hasn’t been much loose change jingling in parents’ pockets who have children attending Bluford Grade and High Schools the last three weeks.

    February 11, 2012 1 Photo

  • CASA Men Cooking for CASA winners

    MT. VERNON — The first-ever Men Cooking for CASA fundraiser officially came  to a close Thursday afternoon.

    February 10, 2012 1 Photo

  • Brehm offering free computer classes

    MT. VERNON — C.E. Brehm Memorial Library is offering free computer classes through a grant funded by Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

    February 10, 2012

  • Teachers receive grants

    MT. VERNON — Ten City Schools District 80 teachers recently received grants from the District 80 Foundation.

    February 10, 2012

  • Overdose immunity law to go into effect

    MT. VERNON — Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law that will go into effect June 1, which will give immunity from prosecution to people who call 911 to report drug overdoses.

    February 10, 2012

  • Heart Night Second Women’s Heart Night held

    MT. VERNON — A sea of ladies dressed in red descended upon Cedarhurst Center for the Arts on Thursday for the second Women’s Heart Night.

    February 10, 2012 1 Photo