Pine Island library assistant named Shining Star
Pine Island native and library assistant, Tonya Player has been named Shining Star of 2010-11. This honor is bestowed on the recipient by the Lee County Library System to recognize those who are dedicated and hardworking employees of local public libraries in the county. Player was presented her award earlier this month by the Lee County Library System president, Sheldon Kaye.
“I was shocked and very honored when the Library System president came to the library to present me with this annual award,” said Player. “I love my job and especially the people I see here at the library. I have been coming to the library myself ever since I was a small child for storytime and now I have the children and even great-grandchildren of some of the people I grew up with coming to my storytime programs. This is the perfect job for me and that makes this honor even more special.”
During the course of the year, each month, one library employee in the county is named “employee of the month.” Player was the recipient for the month of August. After a 12-month period, these employees are judged by a committee of their peers and library volunteers to be named as the Shining Star. In Lee County there are a total of 13 public libraries with more than 250 employees, of which, the Pine Island branch is among the smallest. According to Player, the recipients of employee of the month are nominated for the award. Nominating Player was Pine Island Public Library librarian, Randy Briggs.
“Tonya is an island treasure and very deserving of this recognition. She is very enjoyable to work with,” Briggs said. “I think the thing that sets us apart is the fact that we are a small library, we are able to give personalized service and enjoy our patrons. Tonya is very good at doing that.”
Player has been an employee of the Pine Island branch for more than five years as library associate and previously served as the librarian at Pine Island Elementary School for 17 years.
“The biggest difference between here and the school is that in addition to working with the children, I also get to interact with adults as well,” said Player. “The other advantage is that now I can do more fun things with the kids that they didn’t have time for at school. The kids are great and I love them and they love me. In fact when ever I see them they always refer to me at the Library Lady and I love it.”
Player’s primary responsibility at the library is to coordinate special programs for both children and adults as well as being responsible for youth services, young adult needs and programming.
When not at the library, Player is a active member of the Pine Island community and is a member of the Kiwanis Club, Pine Island Teen Success and the manager and librarian for the Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. She also serves as MangoMania Queen during the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce MangoMania.
“Being Mango Queen was a great deal of fun. Not only did I have the opportunity to promote the event and the island, but our library as well,” said Player. “If asked I would love to do it again.”
Among the programs organized by Player are the regularly scheduled storytimes, gaming nights for families, lectures presented by local authors, craft making session and other special events.
The Pine Island Public Library is open Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday from 12 to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for more information, call 533-4350.