TRINITIE WILKE, LIBRARY DIRECTOR
My name is Trinitie Wilke, I have lived and worked in Marion for the last 13 years. I first worked on a grant through the federal government targeting multigenerational substance abuse prevention and coached girl’s basketball. I was able to meet a lot of wonderful people and settle in nicely to this small town. Three years ago I took the opportunity to apply for the director position at the Marion Public Library. I received a call saying I was hired if I wanted the job. Well that was one of the best decisions of my life. I have enjoyed all the challenges that being a director brings as well as all the wonderful people I get to meet.
I graduated from Carroll College (University) with a degree in Criminal Justice and psychology. Upon my switch in careers I went back to UW Madison to get my Librarian Certification which I completed in 2010. I have a wonderful husband Jeff and two beautiful children. My hobbies include enjoying time with my family and their activities, playing volleyball, running, traveling and volunteering within the community.
Favorite authors: Nicholas Sparks, Tess Gerritsen, Nora Roberts, Jodi Picoult and Danielle Steel…..When I am not reading children’s books!!
SHARON STUHR, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR/ILL
My name is Sharon Stuhr. This is my 26th year of working at the library. I really enjoy working here. One thing I can say is that it isn’t boring. We are continuously learning and doing new things. I enjoy working with the public and meeting the new people that move into our community.
In the past I have enjoyed planning and doing the programs we had at the library.
The children are so special and are fun to work with.
Along the way, I received some education. I took the Basic A50 Library Course. Also, we are continuously being educated though the library system.
I am married to Eugene and have 2 children Brian and Tricia. We also have 3 wonderful grandchildren, Jackson, Brayden, and Brooklyn. One day a week I spend babysitting with our grandchildren. They keep me young.
My hobbies include scrapbooking, riding bicycle, camping and knitting. I also enjoy working out in the yard in summer.
Some of my favorite authors are Nicholas Sparks, LaVyrle Spencer, Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts, and Karen Kingsbury. I do most of my reading at night before I go to bed.
GAIL KLEMANN, ACTIVITIES COORDINATOR
Hi, my name is Gail Klemann, for the last three years I have been part of the friendly team who keeps our wonderful library going. My position here is Activities Coordinator, though working the Circulation Desk is really rewarding too, as I love talking to people. If only I had time to read all the books that are recommended to me! Having lived in the area for 32 years, and commuting to the valley most of that time, it is truly a pleasure working in town. Getting to know all my neighbors and organizing events for the library is the best part of the position. I have met so many nice families and really enjoy coming up with Book Buck Challenges every week and helping the children fulfill those challenges. Filling the library with happy, noisy children for events is just another perk of the job. I love being busy and seeing the books fly off our displays!
Coming from a retail background, I have applied my merchandising skills to make the library more Patron friendly. With the central location of our library we really are the heart of the community, and using my Interior Decorating background, the first thing Trinitie and I did was our “Extreme Library Makeover” in 2008 to make the space more warm and inviting. Our Children’s Area is really a fun place to be now, with a puppet theater, puzzles, Legos and lots of places to sit and read books, very family friendly. The Family Game Room, complete with Wii game is also available and I love to see it in use. After school is the best, it’s great to see this place really jumping, all the computers in use and children and teens using all that we have to offer. Libraries have sure changed since I was a kid and seeing the surprised looks on faces of people who haven’t been in for a while is priceless.
Our Annual Adventures in Art show has grown each year, and it was fantastic to see so many people packed into our library sharing good food and good times. We have so many talented people in our community and showcasing hobbies and crafts is also something that I feel strongly about. Which has led to our wanting to start a Farmer’s Market on the Library Square this summer, hopefully we can get enough interest to get that going. These are just a few of the things that make my job so interesting and rewarding.
My husband Mike and I have been married 24 years, we enjoy travel, antiquing, cooking, working on our home and spending time with our grandchildren. I have two Children that I am very proud of, Cassy and Lon who both reside in Clintonville with my four wonderful grandchildren.
My reading history is widely varied; Clive Cussler, Nicholas Sparks, LaVyrle Spencer, Anita Shreve, decorating books, biographies, history, and cookbooks. I always have three or four books going at one time.
BOB TOMCZYK, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
My name is Bob Tomczyk. I’m a retired school teacher/administrator, having worked in the Clintonville School district for 31 years. I’m a graduate of UW-Whitewater having obtained a Bachelor’s of Education and a Master’s of Science in Teaching from that institution. I love the outdoors! I fish as much as I can, golf whenever possible, enjoy pontooning on the Cloverleaf lakes, and playing cards.
I’m a people person and enjoy meeting new people and working with those individuals using the library. I find that multitasking, when several individuals request service at the same time, my biggest challenge.
I’m the father of three wonderful daughters! One is a stay at home Mom with four daughters, one is a Reading specialist in Kimberly School System, and one is an Associate Principal with the Appleton School District. I take no credit for my daughter’s success and owe it to my wonderful and beautiful wife of 41 years. We have been blessed with 8 healthy beautiful grandchildren and I find that life is so wonderful when they visit. Spoiling them is my greatest pleasure!
I now have a little more time in my hands and find myself reading more. I loved the White Indian series by Donald Clayton Porter, anything by David Baldicci, James Patterson, Tom Clancy and John Grisham. Oh, I can’t forget Mario Puzzo! Many moons ago the “Godfather” was my favorite book!
ESTHER BURNS, WEBMASTER
My name is Esther Burns, and I'm new to Marion Public Library. New to the staff, at least! We moved to Marion three years ago, when my husband accepted the call of Associate Pastor at St. Martin Lutheran church in Clintonville. Marion Public Library was one of my first stops, when I stopped in to ask directions to the post office. While I was there, I got a library card, and the rest is history. I was so thankful for the Summer Library program that summer, since we were a new family and didn't know anyone in town. It really was our lifeline, and helped us get to know a lot of new friends!
As I said before, I'm a pastor's wife. My husband's name is Dan, and we have three children--Ethan is 8, Zachariah is 6, and Emma is 3. I'm a work-at-home mom, (I have a bachelor's degree in Elementary education from Concordia University in St. Paul, MN) lucky enough to work on the library website while I'm home taking care of the kids and whatever else needs doing around the house--usually laundry! I also play organ at four different churches on different Sundays of the month. I volunteer at St. Martin school at least twice a week, and participate in our Mom's Group there. I rarely have a dull moment, that's for sure!
My hobbies include knitting, blogging, playing with my kids and gardening. And reading, of course!
I love to read, and I feel that our public libraries are such an important resource for us. Some of my favorite authors: Jennifer Weiner, Janet Evanovich, Karen Kingsbury, Diane Mott Davidson, Jodi Picoult, and Sophie Kinsella, among many others.
I am so very excited to be a part of the staff at Marion Public Library! It's so much fun keeping everyone on the internet updated on what's happening at our library.