At the Madison Parish Library, Rachel Johnson helps keep daily operations running while also supporting programs that serve residents across the parish.
Johnson is the accounts payable, interlibrary loan specialist and manager at the library. She has worked there since April 21, 2022.
“Whenever we have outreach programs that we can give back to the community, especially the kids and the elderly, I like that a lot,” Johnson said.
Among those outreach efforts are back-to-school drives, where the library donates books and supplies to children. During the Christmas season, staff members visit the nursing home to host events that may include performers or distributing goodie bags to residents.
On a typical day, Johnson handles financial processing for the library.
“I come in, check my emails and the mail that's given to the library, go through the invoices and stuff like that, and do requisitions for the invoices,” she said. “From there I send that over to the police jury. And that's basically how we pay our bills.”
In addition to financial duties, Johnson assists at the front desk when needed, catalogs and processes new books, and manages the interlibrary loan system.
“As far as the ILL system … I do the cards for that,” she said, referring to the system that allows patrons to access materials through the online library network.
The library offers programs and events throughout the year for children, teens and adults.
“We have a lot of resources. We have a lot of different events throughout the year,” Johnson said.
One of the largest programs is the summer reading program, held from June to July. The library also hosts Primetime in the spring and Storyview in the fall.
Storyview includes reading instruction and provides a hot meal for families, along with activity items for children. During summer reading, the library offers classes and activities for all age groups, from infants to older adults.
“I know we have a computer class for adults,” Johnson said. “We've had a makeup class in the past for teenagers and a barber class for the young men to just, if they want to be a barber or to just show them how to dress up and show up for job interviews and things like that.”
For younger children, programs have included craft projects and academic activities focused on English, math and science.
Johnson said reading remains central to the library’s mission.
“When I was a kid, my favorite place in the whole city was the library,” she said. “I believe that that's the foundation of every kid's journey in life because you're going to have to learn how to read to do anything else in life.”
Staff members assist families in selecting books based on reading level or grade and also help with school projects. The library prepares literature packets for children throughout the year.
“I believe reading is very fundamental and very important,” Johnson said.
Obtaining a library card is simple.
“You don't have to bring anything,” Johnson said. “You just fill out the application. It's nothing serious. It takes less than three minutes.”
Applicants provide basic information such as name, address and phone number. For children, a parent’s information and the child’s grade and date of birth are required. Cards are issued the same day.
From processing invoices to organizing summer programs, Johnson said the goal is to serve residents who walk through the doors each day.
For longtime residents and newcomers alike, the Madison Parish Library offers books, programs and assistance designed to meet the needs of the community.
