This month’s staff spotlight features Gail Santy. Gail has been the library director since December 2017, but worked in the library in different capacities before then. 

Q: What is your job title?

A: Director of the Great Bend Public Library and the Central Kansas Library System.

Q: How long have you worked at the library?

A: I started in January 2007.

Q: What is your favorite thing about your job?

A: I love the people I work with. They are a group of dedicated professionals who truly want to make the library better for our community.

Q: If you could get any job in the world, what would it be?

A: I got interested in textile repair when I saw a large group of seamstresses gingerly and slowly  repairing the original American Flag square inch by inch. That flag flew over Fort McHenry during the bombardment by British naval ships in the war of 1812. The ammunition used by these ships would inspire the famous lines “and the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,” in our national anthem.

Q: Where do you consider your hometown?

A: I went to 18 different schools and lived in 21 different towns before I graduated high school. After high school I joined the Army as a translator and later married an career Army soldier, which led to many more moves. I’ve lived on all continents except Africa and Antarctica. I am a true world citizen and don’t have one place I would call home.

Q: What is the last book you read?

A: I just finished “The Paris Architect” by Charles Belfoure, published in 2013. I borrowed it from Sunflower eLibrary and read the digital version.

Q: What is the most unusual TV show or movie you have ever watched?

A: I loved “Tracker”. It came out in 2010. An Afrikaner veteran of the Boer War has just immigrated to New Zealand and is hired to track a man accused of killing a soldier. While hunting through the countryside he captures his fugitive, only to learn that he’s innocent of the crime.

Q: What is your favorite outdoor or indoor activity?

A: I love to read.

Q: What’s the coolest thing you’re working on right now?

A: I am sewing two skirts from fabric that glows in the dark.

Q: What is your least favorite chore?

A: Cleaning up the yard after the dog.

Q: What kind of music do you like to listen to?

A: All kinds except metal.

Q: Where’s the best place you’ve ever visited or traveled to?

A: Berlin, without a doubt. It was during the Cold War and Berlin was a divided city. I loved the museums, the culture, the people.

Q: If you could visit anywhere in the world you haven’t yet visited, where would you go?

A: Iceland. My son went last year and really piqued my interest.

Q: What celebrity/famous person do people think you look like?

A: Yogi Bear?

Q: Do you have a favorite quote?

A: My work signature line is, “The library identifies the needs of the community and then finds ways to help.”

Q: What three traits define you?

A: Honest, tenacious, compassionate.

Q: Ten years ago, what did you expect to be doing today?

A: Library work.

Q: What would you most like to tell yourself as a child or teen?

A: This too shall pass.

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: Sunshine, trees, mountains, oceans. It is hard on my spirit to be landlocked in the middle of the country. The waves of spring wheat have become my ocean. Driving through the hills north of Lincoln is my mountains.

Michael Adamyk is the marketing and technical services manager at the Great Bend Public Library. He can be reached by email at gbcirc@gmail.com. For other library info visit www.greatbendpl.info or call 620-792-2409. Follow the library on Facebook and Instagram.