Jocelyn Corbin, Meade County Public Library
“Since Jocelyn Corbin started at the Meade County Public Library two years ago, teen engagement has significantly increased through her innovative leadership and dedication to the community. She organized community events such as the Princess Project, which provided 90 high school students with free formal dresses. Jocelyn also created the Graduation Lending Closet, offering caps and gowns to seniors in need. She partnered with local schools to develop a senior co-op program and a career-based instruction initiative. Her commitment to the community extends beyond teens. She organized the donation of an old book drop to the local VFW, which was repurposed as a flag drop for retired flags, and worked with the animal shelter to host pet adoption days and cat cafés. Jocelyn’s passion for serving her community is evident in all she does.”
Katherine Sallee, Campbell County Public Library
“Katherine started as a Patron Services assistant in 2020, she quickly
showed her dedication and passion for library service which has brought her both her MLIS and her current position as the Adult/Teen Services Librarian. This position comes with increased responsibility, she supervises four employees and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Information Services desk at her branch. She is also responsible for technology training appointments, creating programs for both adults and teens, handling outreach opportunities, and a variety of other duties as assigned. Katherine is a wonderful and valuable asset to the Campbell County Public Library, her kindness and positive attitude are infectious, it is a boon to the library in representing us in the community and our patrons appreciate when they have an opportunity to engage with her at the desk, in programs, or at an event. We are very much looking forward to seeing Katherine continue to grow as a librarian here at Campbell County as well as watching the direction she will take in the future. ”
Jocelyn Embert, Casey County Public Library
“ Since starting at the library in 2022, Jocelyn has fully embodied what it means to be a librarian. Every day, she brings a passion for helping others to her position. Jocelyn is new to her role as the Adult Services and Outreach Coordinator, but she has taken the bull by the horns. She
consistently plans and oversees programs that bring adults together to
share their love of reading. She jumps in wherever she is needed and
takes on the heaviest of loads with ease. She has rekindled relationships
with the local schools to ensure they are offered books on the bookmobile at least once a month. If there is a program taking place, Jocelyn more-than-likely had something to do with it. Jocelyn is always looking for ways to learn and grow. If she sees a need or a challenge to overcome, she confronts it head-on. Her passion and her heart for library service will undoubtedly lead her on to do great things for the future of library service.”
Gretchen Mitchell, Warren County Public Library
“It is with great joy that I nominate Gretchen Mitchell for the KPLA Fresh Faces Award. Gretchen, a former middle school teacher, began her library career in the summer of 2023 as a team lead for our THRIVE Summer Outreach program. She approached this role wholeheartedly, bringing energy and fun to the children of Warren County. During this time, she made the courageous decision to leave teaching and pursue a new chapter in her career. She quickly became a valued member of our team, demonstrating exceptional customer service skills, tenacity, and a positive attitude. Her career change not only enriched her life but also brought immense value to our library system. In September 2024, she was promoted to Branch Manager of Outreach Services, where she uses her experience and skills to foster positive relationships with school systems and community partners. We are profoundly grateful for Gretchen’s contributions and excited to see what the future holds for her at WCPL and beyond!!”
Katie Underwood, Marshall County Public Library
“Since stepping into the role of Teen Librarian in August 2024, Katie
Underwood has been a transformative force in our library. Her boundless energy, creativity, and genuine warmth have not only grown our teen programming but have also created a welcoming and engaging space for our younger patrons. When the opportunity arose to lead the teen program, Katie embraced it with enthusiasm, successfully expanding its reach and fostering meaningful relationships with our teen community. Katie’s dedication to enhancing the library experience goes beyond in-person interactions—she has also become a social media sensation! Her creative and entertaining TikTok videos, including a wildly popular speed tour of the library with over 325,000 views, have brought the library into the digital spotlight, attracting an enthusiastic online following. Katie Underwood brings joy wherever she goes. Whether she’s helping a young patron find their next favorite book, building relationships with teens, or brainstorming the next viral video, her impact is undeniable. ”
Katie Tyson, Logan County Public Library
Katie Tyson has distinguished herself over the years, whether working
public services or more recent roles behind-the-scenes in marketing and community relations. Katie had proven that she was extremely capable of connecting with diverse groups of people, working in a team environment, and making rational, positive decisions that she could then articulate to others. Katie officially moved into her new role as assistant director of our library in July 2024. So far she has busied herself with training procedures for new and existing staff, tracking continuing education, taking over our staff time clock and payroll reporting, and other administrative tasks. More than just standard office work, Katie has begun familiarizing our staff with the process of failure analysis, where you take a quality engineering approach to review procedures to improve every aspect of your organization. We are excited to see where this leads us, and would have never undertaken this if it wasn’t for Katie sharing her skills and experience. Her future is exceedingly bright, and this is a great acknowledgment of how far she has already come.
Allison Gray, McCracken County Public Library
Allison Gray has been an essential McCracken County Public Library’s
youth services team member since 2021. In her role, she curates
collections of juvenile nonfiction and biography books and organizes
engaging activities for children and families. From leading summer reading programs for tweens and teens to creating innovative events like the famous Glow in the Dark Mini-Golf, Allison is always looking for new ways to connect with the community. Her dedication to outreach, including programs at local schools and the domestic violence shelter, showcases her commitment to making a meaningful impact. Additionally, her initiative to pursue an MLS degree online and become a notary reflects her drive for personal and professional growth. Allison’s creativity, passion, and community-focused approach make her an invaluable asset to our team. We are truly fortunate to have her on board.