If you look up "reliable" in Merriam-Webster, you might find a picture of JCPL Evergreen Library volunteer Pat.
"I'm new at Evergreen, but I already know that Pat is very efficient, thorough and consistent," Library Page Sharee says.
"And Pat's been here forever!" adds PX Associate Polly.
Pat has been volunteering at Evergreen Library for over 11 years. She takes care of the patron holds shelves, pulling expired holds and putting out new ones.
"Pat is punctual, reliable and independent," Page Franziska says. "She knows her job well because she's been here so long. The hold shelves always look so good after she's done!"
Pat joined the volunteer team shortly after moving to Evergreen to be close to her daughter.
"Evergreen is quite different from bigger cities I've lived in before," Pat says. "When I first moved here, I didn't understand why people didn't want to 'go down the hill.' Now that I've lived here for a while, I understand it."
"Even though it's a small town, I find enough to keep me busy — I'm not very good at sitting still!" she laughs. "I have to find something of interest that gets me out and about."
Pat's volunteer role starts bright and early before the Library opens.
"It works for me — I'm an early bird, I like to wake up and get started with my day," Pat explains. "It's a great group at Evergreen Library, everyone is so pleasant."
Pat also volunteers at the Center Stage Performing Arts Center in Evergreen.
"Luckily, I love to organize because there are always things to clean, props to put away and costumes to organize. There's never any end to it."
"Though I don't advertise it, another thing I like to do is pet sit," she says. "I'm not allowed to have dogs where I live, and I love them. Pet sitting lets me pack up, move in, get my dog fix and move out."
Before moving to Evergreen, Pat had a variety of jobs in many different fields. A standout memory from her career was working for a tech company over 30 years ago.
"My boss called me into his office and said: 'Come in here, I want to show you something,'" Pat remembers. "And it was the internet! I couldn't believe it."
The internet has changed just about everything since then. One of Pat's favorite Library services is listening to audiobooks with the Boundless app.
"If I'm watching a program on TV or hear about a new author or book, I can go put it on hold right then. Sometimes I even get the book right away! It's a great addition to the Library," Pat explains.
"Right now, I read a lot of Ann Patchett," Pat says. "I really like her style. I get frustrated with books that seem to go on too long — just get to the end of the story!"
"I recently finished These Precious Days, opens a new window," she continues. "I also enjoy Jodi Picoult. I just read Mad Honey, opens a new window, which she wrote in conjunction with Jennifer Finney Boylan. One of the characters (written by Boylan) is trans, and it shows the experience of a young trans person in a very empathetic way."
Pat enjoys combining her volunteer days with picking up her own holds at the Library — she always has something on her reading list.
Thank you for your dedication and skilled service at JCPL, Pat!
