“New” Senior Leadership at Wheaton Library Brings Back Familiar Faces: part 1

One thing remains a constant in the Montgomery County Public Library (MCPL) system: change. New books replace old books, new readers get their first library card, new programs and educational events refresh outdated ones--and even the staff, ensuring that you can find whatever you seek amongst the stacks--changes.

But recently, MCPL instituted some staff changes that will bring back two familiar faces back to the Wheaton Regional Library: Senior Librarian, Daniel Beavin and Library Manager, Dianne Whitaker.

Today, Patch sits down to catch up with "new/old" Wheaton Library staffer, Dianne Whitaker.

Patch: Tell us about your background with the County’s library system.

Dianne Whitaker: I am excited to return to the Wheaton library after a four-year absence. In total, I have more than 20 years of library experience. I began working as a part-time Librarian at the Aspen Hill branch in October 1999 and became a full-time Librarian at Bethesda in 2000. I worked as member of the Bethesda Library staff both as an adult and young adult librarian until 2005. From 2002-2003 I worked at Little Falls while Bethesda was renovated. I was promoted to Librarian II for Adult Services in late 2005 and one month later became acting library manager at Little Falls.

I joined the Wheaton library staff as the Senior Librarian for Children’s Services for a brief time in late 2006/early 2007. I was promoted to library manager at Twinbrook in 2007 and served as manager there until July.

Patch: What is your favorite thing about working at the Wheaton branch?

Whitaker:The Wheaton library is busy, vibrant place. The wide variety of people and questions encountered each day is amazing.

Patch: What can students look forward to at the Wheaton library this school year?

Whitaker: There will be more books on the shelves, additional space in the group study room area and greater access to electronic books.

Patch: Any new programs for adults?

Whitaker: There are no new programs currently planned for adults, but we will continue to offer three book clubs, an English conversation club and blood pressure screenings. There may be additional adult programs planned for later in the fall.

Patch: How can Wheaton-area residents best take advantage of the Library?

Whitaker: Come early and often. The people who come early in the day find the best selection of new materials on the shelf and the easiest time getting time on the computers. Frequent visitors find our changing displays informative and helpful. We encourage new visitors to the library to come straight to the information desk for help and assistance in using the library.

Patch: I believe Wheaton has the largest Friends of the Library book sale in the county--what can people expect to find there and how does it support the Wheaton library?

Whitaker: The Wheaton library hosts the largest of three Friends of the Library (FOL) Montgomery County bookstores. There is a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction materials. The Wheaton book sale is a county-wide FOL fundraiser, with a portion of the sales allocated to the Wheaton branch library.

Next: A conversation with Senior Librarian Daniel Beavin.