Storytime back July 29

“Joy has a very customer-service oriented focus and an enthusiastic, kind personality, library director Elizabeth Miniatt said of the recent hiring of Joy Van De Loo as Programs and Youth Services Director. “She grew up here and is a part of the Stanley community, so she is already invested in our library and really cares about helping people,” Miniatt said. “We have been looking for someone who can thrive in this position after our amazing Peg Dalberto retired earlier this year and it’s already clear that Joy is a great addition to our library team. We’re so happy to have her join us!” Put on the spot later, Van De Loo shared details of the upcoming summer story time along with facts about herself.

“I will start up the story hour July 29th from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. and it will continue every other week,” she said. “The theme this summer is Tales and Tails. The kickoff on July 29th, will feature Beatrix Potter’s book Peter Rabbit and will include a craft and special guest, my very own pet rabbit Peeta. Story time will be in the downstairs of the library.”

As to her personal background, Van De Loo shared the following: “I grew up in Stanley and frequented D. R. Moon Memorial Library, even filling up multiple boxes of books during one visit from the early age of three,” she said. Adding that she was drawn to the position “because I loved the library as a child and I love to entertain children and have fun,” Van De Loo went on.

“I’ve always been a reader and writer with a publication of a poem in recent years and a children’s book that I’m currently working on.” Graduating from UW-Stout with a Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, Van De Loo traveled before moving back to Stanley in recent years. But lest you think the library is just for kids, Van De Loo shared future plans for the new position she holds as Programs and Youth Services Director.

“I also have aspirations to involve adults,” she said of the library. “I will be starting a book club and creative writing club in the Fall.”

As to her favorite books, Van De Loo shared that her favorite children’s book was ‘The Tale of Three Trees,” by Angela Elwell Hunt and that she also enjoyed reading young adult fiction by Carolyn Greene, C. S. Lewis, Lois Gladys Leppard, Max Lucado, “and ANY of the Little Golden Books,” she said. In the meantime, Van De Loo said she was also working on a Story Walk on the library property. So what’s that exactly?

“It will be a book set up page by page so you can walk through and read outside!” she said. “My hope is to change out the story seasonally. If you have any 4-foot wooden stakes you would like to donate or if you want to help us build something more permanent, let us know!”

Programs and Youth Services Director Joy Van De Loo holds one of her favorite titles in the downstairs children’s section at the D. R. Moon Library in Stanley. Van was hired recently following the retirement of Peggy Dalberto. Staff Photo.