Library Limelight: Cleo Joyce, Youth Services Supervisor, Sharon Forks Library

Library Limelight is intended to be a quick read to help FCPL patrons get to know our librarians, staff, and volunteers. We hope you enjoy learning about the people who make our libraries great!

Cleo Joyce
Youth Services Supervisor
Sharon Forks Library


Where is your hometown?

Spokane, WA

How long have you been at FCPL?

A little over 7 years.

What other jobs have you had at FCPL?

I had a brief stint as Program Manager, but returned to my position at Sharon Forks when I realized that I really missed working with the public!

Why did you choose to work in a library?

I wanted to make a positive difference in my community and help to grow future readers.

Describe your job in five words or less.

Go, go, go, eat, go.

What is unique about your job?

I’ve seen youth services dramatically change and grow during my time at FCPL. We have a very talented and creative group of youth librarians and I love getting to work with my amazing team at Sharon Forks and the larger team across the system.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Getting to make personal connections with kids and families. Having been at the same branch for seven years, I’ve seen elementary kiddos grow into VolunTEENs, storytime regulars become chapter book readers, parents of one become parents of three, and babies from my first Books & Babies groups start kindergarten. Getting to be their librarian for all these exciting changes is a true privilege!

What’s the most interesting place you’ve lived or traveled?

I love travelling! I did a study abroad in college in London and have been back many times since. Some of the more “off the beaten path” places I’ve been include Krakow, Poland, the Canary Islands, and Vieques, Puerto Rico.

What are your hobbies?

Baking, yoga, and binge watching TV shows.

What are you reading right now?

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Mass (This book is almost 1,000 pages. Clearly the author did not have new moms in mind when she wrote it, even though she herself is also a new mom.)

Paper books, eBooks, or audiobooks?

Audio all the way!

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

My husband and I welcomed our first child, Fiona, in May. Life is crazy, but awesome!

Staff Picks: Keep Her Safe by Sophie Hannah

Keep Her Safe by Sophie Hannah

A frustrated British mum walks into the wrong hotel room at an exclusive Arizona resort and finds herself in the middle of one of the most talked about mysteries in the States. Tabloid journalism, family drama and a Brit’s view of American excess make this novel a fun and intriguing read.

Alicia Cavitt
Information Specialist

Library Receives Budget Increase for Longer Hours, Outreach Services, and Materials

Forsyth County Public Library is pleased to announce expanded weekday hours at all four of its branches, effective January 7, 2019.

Libraries will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday, giving patrons both earlier and later access to materials, computers, and all library services. The library will continue to be open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Sunday.

“We’ve had frequent requests to open the libraries earlier and to keep them open later, especially from adult patrons who use the public computers and from students who are doing homework, researching papers, or working on group projects,” says Library Director Anna Lyle.

Children participate in a dinosaur-themed science program at the Hampton Park Library last month. With increased funding for longer operating hours and outreach, more Forsyth residents of all ages can access library materials and services. 

The 2019 budget adopted by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners on December 6 includes funding for four additional part-time staff members that will make the expanded weekday hours possible, along with a full-time Outreach Specialist responsible for taking library programs and materials to events at local nonprofits and other organizations to serve children and adults who may not otherwise be able to visit the library.

“We’re grateful to the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners for including an increase in the 2019 budget to allow the library to provide expanded services to the Forsyth County community,” added Lyle.

In addition to adding staff for increased operating hours and outreach, the County’s 2019 allocation to the Library includes funding for increased benefits costs, a 4% merit increase for eligible employees, and $50,000 for new materials for the library’s collection to offset the end of SPLOST VI funds.

“This increase in funding will help the library serve the entire Forsyth County community, both inside and outside the physical walls of the library,” says Lyle.

For information on programs and services available at the Forsyth County Public Library, please visit www.forsythpl.org.

Library Limelight: Trina Schlecht, Library Trainer, Library Headquarters

Library Limelight is intended to be a quick read to help FCPL patrons get to know our librarians, staff, and volunteers. We hope you enjoy learning about the people who make our libraries great!

Trina Schlecht
Library Trainer
Administrative Headquarters


Where is your hometown?

Randolph, Massachusetts

How long have you been at FCPL?

5 years

What other jobs have you had at FCPL?

Information Specialist at Sharon Forks

Why did you choose to work in a library?

I’ve always loved books and reading. When a job opening was posted right after my daughter started kindergarten, it seemed like a great fit.

Describe your job in five words or less.

Teaching, learning, researching, Staff Day

What is unique about your job?

I get to teach and work in the library, combining two of my passions in one job.

What is your favorite part of your job?

It’s hard to pick one thing! I love getting to work with everyone at FCPL. 

What’s the most interesting place you’ve lived or traveled?

Last summer I traveled to Italy, Croatia, and Greece with my husband and kids. Santorini is breathtaking, but it was truly inspirational to run on the dirt track from the ancient Olympic Games.

What are your hobbies?

Reading, traveling, running, playing games with my family, and baking.

What are you reading right now?

I’m listening to In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware and I’m reading The Witch Elm by Tana French and Bridge of Clay by Marcus Zusak.

Paper books, eBooks, or audiobooks?

All three! I love physical books, but I will read on my Kindle if I can get a book faster in that format. I also bring my Kindle when I travel. Audiobooks help make my commute more interesting.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I absolutely love working at FCPL! We have the best people here and I am always learning new things from my coworkers.