Meet your new Putnam County Library children's librarian

Saturday, July 26, 2008
Putnam County Public Library's new children's librarian Cortina Ison reads to children at story time. The library will hold another eight-week session of story times starting just before Thanksgiving.

The Putnam County Public Library's new children's librarian Cortina Ison brings knowledge of graphic novels and passion for early childhood literacy to her new position.

After working at the Oldham County Public Library near Louisville, Ky. and living in Washington, Ison said she wanted to come back to the Midwest where most of her family resides.

"Greencastle seemed like a nice town from the pictures online," Ison said. "There are some neat houses and it seemed like a good place to live."

Ison has also worked writing reviews for graphic novels such as Japanese-style Manga and Manawha novels. She hopes to bring her enthusiasm and love for the novels to the PCPL.

Ison said she loves being a children's librarian because she loves working with kids and doing crafts. Crafts also pose a challenging part of her position though.

"It's often difficult to figure out new crafts for every story time," Ison said.

Ison and the children's library hold eight-week session story times. The story times are held every Thursday, and the next session starts just before Thanksgiving, according to Ison.

Jean Walter, reference assistant for the children's library, said Ison has continued tradition programs of the library and also brought a fresh perspective.

"Cortina hadn't been here very long when she had to take over story time," Walter said. "I've really appreciated the fact that she has jumped in and finished the program."

Walter also said Ison's knowledge of a genre growing in popularity will be an asset to the library.

"She has a real knowledge and interest in graphic novels," Walter said. "She also knows something about all the genres of literature."

Some of Ison's responsibilities as the children's librarian are general children's programming, collection development and providing information for early literacy.

"We want to try to spark and appreciation for books in children early," Ison said.

The library will hold a free movie night at Ashley Square Cinema featuring the movie Spiderwick Chronicles on July 30 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

On the following day, the library will have a Spiderwick Chronicles costume party. Children should come dressed as their favorite sprite and enter to win drawings and prizes.

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