Visitors to the Hopkins Public Library may notice a new face.
NATALIE BAZANNatalie Bazan, 29, has taken over as the director of the facility, located at 118 E. Main St. Bazan replaces former director Sharon Galligan, who was hired to the position last summer.
Galligan recently resigned to spend more time with her husband, who is suffering from cancer.
Bazan, who grew up in the New Salem area, is a class of 2000 graduate of Hamilton High School.
Following high school, she attended Grand Valley State University, earning degrees in German and Russian, with a history minor. Bazan then attended the University of Kansas, earning a master’s degree in Slavic language and literature before earning yet another master’s degree in library science from the University of Illinois.
While attending classes, she worked in the libraries at both Kansas and Illinois colleges for a combined three years.
Most recently she spent six months as a substitute librarian in the Kent District Library system. She celebrated her first day at the Hopkins Public Library on Aug. 15.
“I am obsessed with books,” said Bazan. “You can read them for fun, or for a variety of information. Every book on every shelf provides something new to play around with.”
Some of her favorite English-language authors include J.K. Rowling, Robert Jordan, and David Gemmell.
While she enjoys a number of genres, she most frequently can be found dipping into science fiction novels, and Russian and German literature.
Under her guidance, the library is adding two new computers, which she hopes to have within the next several weeks. One of the machines will be a children’s computer loaded with 50 different games.
The library is hosting a Halloween costume contest on Oct. 31 and is also seeking local artists wishing to share their creations.
Children’s storytime, designed for children 2-4, will begin at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28.
The library is also making the transition to a district library beginning Jan. 1.
“We have a lot going on here and I’m excited to be back home,” said Bazan. “We’re adding computers and programs, and we hope to add DVDs in the very near future. New books are also expected to arrive every month. Stop in and see the wealth of information we have to offer.”
The library is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Friday; and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The facility is closed Thursday and Sunday. For more information call 269-793-7516.