Homewood para-librarian wins state award

Homewood Public Library Children's Department employee Mary Eller has been named Paraprofessional of the Year by the Alabama Library Association.

Eller has worked in the Children’s Department at the Homewood Library since 2012. She had previous library experience working at the Hoover Public Library as a part-time storyteller and library assistant. With a degree in early childhood education from UAB, Mrs. Eller taught preschool for many years and soon found that her work in preschools translated very well to working in a public library.  

As a full-time library assistant at the Homewood Public Library, Eller has helped to develop children's programming by starting a Wee Ones Storytime for ages 24 months and under. This storytime focuses on the earliest concepts, such as shapes, colors, numbers and letters and is presented in an engaging way.  

The storytime is every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and is well attended.  

Eller has also developed a Preschool Playtime Program on Monday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon. This program creates a preschool atmosphere of play and interaction between parents and children that fosters development. 

For 2016, Eller has developed a new monthly program called Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead for ages 5 and under that focuses on storytelling, music, movement and activities that introduce Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math concepts.  

During the interim months between the departure of the Children’s Department Head and the appointment of a new Department Head, Eller also stepped into a leadership role so the transition period was seamless. She was a leader in the department and made sure that children’s programming did not suffer. The transition took several months and even though the department was short-handed, she kept the department moving in a very positive direction.  

Eller loves her job and it shows.  She volunteers to help with other programs offered by the Library and always helps with the float for the Christmas parade and the “We Love Homewood Day” parade. 

She is one of those employees who always gives her best. Eller is an asset to the Homewood Library and the community.

- Submitted by Homewood Public Library.