Author name: Jessica Stroud

Shawnda Mosson, Palmyra Library Assistant, is HCPL’s Who’s Awesome! winner for October. Shawnda was one of 17 nominations for the honor this month.

Nikki Esarey, the Palmyra lead circ associate and Shawnda’s immediate supervisor, nominated Shawnda, writing, “Shawnda really helped out during the Scooby Doo Escape Room – resetting the room and taking in some of the groups. She also was a great guinea pig by coming in before her shift to solve the mystery making sure everything worked on opening day. Shawnda is always willing to help and does such a wonderful job with programming. The patrons love her classes. She is a real asset to the library. Shawnda is Awesome!”

Shawnda also won the Who’s Awesome title in May of 2024. She interned with HCPL before joining the staff in March of 2010. She has worked at the Palmyra Branch for 15 years. In addition to providing great readers’ advisory and customer service, she does youth storytime, hosts the monthly “Not Your  Mother’s Book Club,” leads painting classes, and the Palmyra Clever Crafts sessions.

Shawnda has received numerous nominations in 2025. Esarey nominated her in August stating, “Shawnda has offered to lead September’s adult paint classes because I will be unable to do so. She is always willing to help out and is truly dedicated to the library and its role in the community.   Shawnda is awesome! “  Shawnda received this nomination from Library Director Alisa Burch in June, “Shawnda came up with some new and engaging activities for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge. She suggested a Tiny Art show for teens and adults that runs throughout the program and planned a Bluey Bash at the Palmyra Branch. Both programs have been great additions and fit the Color Our World Summer Reading theme perfectly. Shawnda is awesome!“

Each month a winner is selected by random drawing. Other staff members nominated in October were Amanda Applegate, Rachel Baelz, Amanda Embrey, Elizabeth Esarey, Nikki Esarey, Sandy Harbeson, Carolyn Hofelich, Bob Ohlrich, Trevor Smith, Jessica Stroud, Tiffany Thieneman and Brandy Wilkerson.

Article by Alisa Burch, Director

Elizabeth Esarey, Lanesville circulation clerk and Makerspace substitute, is HCPL’s September Who’s Awesome! winner. Elizabeth was one of 12 nominations for the honor this month.

Jessica Stroud, assistant director wrote, “Elizabeth and Pat did a wonderful job in rearranging the adult, teen and youth DVD collections at Lanesville. Kudos to them for their initiative and dedication to making browsing easier for our patrons. Elizabeth is AWESOME!“

Elizabeth joined HCPL’s staff in late October of 2024. She came to HCPL with two years of library experience at the Floyd County Library working in circulation, youth programming, and computer and technology assistance at the Galena Branch.

Co-worker Pat Schwartz, has nominated Elizabeth twice.  In August she stated, “Elizabeth is a great asset at the Lanesville Branch. She takes it upon herself to pull books and display them in the children’s, teen, and adult areas of the library. We worked together to move the children’s DVDs to the wood book shelves that would be lower for the children to peruse, where some of the shelves they were on were 6 ft. tall and well above their line of sight. Elizabeth is always available and ready to tackle new projects with enthusiasm and a “get it done” attitude. Elizabeth is awesome to work with.”  Pat’s March nomination read, “Elizabeth is always happy to assist in any task that needs to be done. She is quick to pick up on new tasks and enjoys a challenge. I enjoy working with her because she has a positive attitude and is great with the patrons. Elizabeth took it upon herself to change the display books in the Children’s department with the theme, topic, or celebrations of the month. Elizabeth is awesome! “

Makerspace Specialist Heather Rapp had this to say about Elizabeth in her March nomination, “She is not only incredibly friendly to everyone she meets, but she also consistently demonstrates a willingness to learn and assist wherever needed. Recently, a family of three visited the Makerspace—a parent, a twelve-year-old, and an eight-year-old. While I was working with the younger child, the twelve-year-old needed guidance on designing a heat transfer t-shirt. Without hesitation, Elizabeth stepped in, confidently directing them to the appropriate tools and ensuring they had the support they needed. She made the family feel welcome and comfortable, seamlessly offering her help without being asked. Her initiative, warm-hearted nature, and eagerness to assist make her an invaluable part of our team.

Each month a winner is selected by random drawing. Other staff members nominated in September were Chelsea Arnold, Nikki Esarey, Heather Rapp, Steven Schifcar, Pat Schwartz, Joanna Shepherd, Trevor Smith, Jessica Stroud, and Brandy Wilkerson.

Article by Alisa Burch, Director

Coby Young, Makerspace specialist assistant, is HCPL’s August Who’s Awesome! winner. Coby was one of seven nominations for the honor this month.

Pat Schwartz, Lanesville branch, nominated Coby stating, “Coby is always looking for things to keep busy with. He is great with the patrons and knows his stuff when it comes to the machines in the maker space. Coby asks if there is anything that needs to be taken out to the trash cans and sweeps the sidewalk, deck and porch for us when he has a cancellation in the maker space or an empty slot in the calendar. He is always helpful and friendly. Coby has been an awesome addition to the Lanesville branch!“

Coby joined the Makerspace staff at Lanesville in April.  As a graduate of Corydon Central High School with a technical honors diploma, Coby came to HCPL highly recommended by CCHS Industrial Tech Instructor Ben Spencer. He is a senior at Purdue Polytechnic University majoring in Mechanical Engineering Technology and holds a SolidWorks Additive Manufacturing Certification.  He has worked as a teaching assistant at Purdue University helping students with solid works and NX 3D Modeling.

In July Coby’s supervisor, Assistant Director Jessica Stroud, nominated him writing, “Coby has taken the initiative to begin planning a Computer Automated Design (CAD) class in the Makerspace. One of HCPL’s goals regarding the Makerspace is to hold engaging maker programs to promote public interest and draw new users into the space. Kudos to Coby for coming up with this wonderful idea and for his willingness to take on a new challenge. Coby is awesome!“

Each month a winner is selected by random drawing. Other staff members nominated in August were Amanda Embrey, Elizabeth Esarey, Debbie McClanahan, Shawnda Mosson, Jessica Stroud, and Debi Strubler.

Article by Alisa Burch, Director

Tiffany Thieneman, public service manager, is HCPL’s July Who’s Awesome! winner. Tiffany was one of 15 nominations for the honor this month.

Debi Strubler, circulation clerk, nominated Tiffany stating, “I needed an item that I was having a hard time securing. Tiffany made sure she found the item for me.” Debi nominated Tiffany in May as well, writing, “Tiffany conducts many classes at the library. But the one I love most is where there is food involved! She is always so very kind with sharing the food that is made in the classes. She recently shared a recipe that I shared at a dinner with my son’s in-laws. The recipe was very well received.”

Tiffany  was awarded the Who’s Awesome honor in July of 2023, too. She joined the HCPL staff in January of 2022 and is responsible for overseeing the reference  department, outreach and adult programming. She also devotes time to the Fun Committee to make HCPL a “fun” place to work.

Tiffany has received numerous nominations for Who’s Awesome over the past two years. In January, Shawnda Mosson, a Palmyra staff member, wrote, “I appreciate the time and energy that Tiffany puts into coming up with all the adult craft ideas. I also appreciate that she allows me to join in on the fun and host craft night here at Palmyra… The participants always have a great time and love the ideas you come up with.”  Another January nomination read, “Tiffany is excellent at making patrons feel welcome. I have seen her interact with users in the reference section and many program attendees. She is pleasant and helpful with each and everyone. Tiffany is awesome.”

In September of 2024, Steven Schifcar, head of maintenance and grounds, wrote, “Tiffany and her husband, Nic, went way above and beyond in getting the soaps to everyone from the Fun Committee laundry detergent fundraiser.”

Each month a winner is selected by random drawing. Other staff members nominated in July were Amanda Applegate, Ellie Tucker-Brown, Nikki Esarey, Shawnda Mosson, Pam Nemeth, Julie Phipps, Heather Rapp, Pat Schwartz, Trevor Smith, Debi Strubler, Brandy Wilkerson and Coby Young.

Article by Alisa Burch, Director

Nikki Esarey, the Palmyra lead circ associate is HCPL’s June Who’s Awesome! winner. Nikki was one of 20 nominations for the honor this month.

Alisa Burch, library director, nominated Nikki stating, “Nikki created a fantastical fairy experience for the Palmyra Branch to celebrate International Fairy Day on June 24, complete with a photo backdrop and fun fairy props. Nikki’s creativity knows no bounds. HCPL is lucky to have her. Nikki is awesome! ”

Nikki was also awarded the Who’s Awesome honor in February of 2023. She joined the HCPL staff in July of 2007 as a circulation clerk at Main and in October she moved to the reference department. In April of 2008, she was made head of reference. When the Palmyra Branch opened in 2010, Nikki was named the Palmyra lead circ associate where she excels at innovative, creative children’s programming and excellent customer service. She makes puppets, puts on puppet shows, creates escape rooms, leads step-by-step painting classes and more.

Nikki already received multiple nominations in 2025. This April she received three nominations relating to the flooding and water damage at HCPL facilities. Steven Schifcar, head of maintenance and grounds wrote, Nikki “helped me get sandbags out and plastic for the flooding.” Palmyra coworker Amanda Embrey said, …Nikki “was very helpful during the flood and helped Steve pull out the sandbags and place them in front of the doors to help ensure we didn’t get any water inside the building. Thankfully it didn’t get that close, but it was worrisome for about a day. Nikki is Awesome!” Burch added, “Nikki helped with water damage cleanup at the Emporium while her branch was closed due to high water. Nikki is always willing to go above and beyond for HCPL.”

This nomination was submitted in February, “Nikki uses her creativity to make great library programming. She is hard at work on the next escape room – Escape the Castle using a medieval theme. Nikki is awesome! “

Other staff members nominated in June were Ann Allen, Sarah Dorton, Amanda Embrey, Amanda Flock, Connie Greshman, Sandy Harbeson, Seren Lindsey, Debbie McClanahan, Shawnda Mosson, Eden Ransdell, Heather Rapp, Pat Schwartz, Trevor Smith, Savannah Wallace, Brandy Wilkerson, and Wilma Williams.

Article by Alisa Burch, Director

Ellie Tucker-Brown, reference library assistant, is HCPL’s  May winner for Who’s Awesome!  Ellie was one of the 10 nominations for the honor this month.

Debbie Strubler, a circulation clerk at the Main Branch, nominated Ellie stating, “Ellie leads the Print to Picture book club each month. She comes well prepared, and the discussion is always lively and informative. I appreciate Ellie’s effort in conducting such an inviting book club at the library.”

Ellie joined HCPL’s reference staff at Main on January 2, 2024. As a reference library assistant she helps patrons with research, finding materials, computers and interlibrary loans. In March, Ellie began leading a new HCPL book club, From Print to Picture, in which participants discuss books that have been made into movies.

Ellie was nominated for Who’s Awesome several times in 2024. In March of 2024, JoBeth Mathes, a former HCPL staff member, nominated Ellie writing, “She’s always such a kind, compassionate and caring person to not only her coworkers but also patrons. She’s always happy to help others and a pleasure to work with.”

In February of 2024, Ellie received two nominations. Debbie McClanahan, Main lead circ associate, said, “Ellie is so cheerful and kind to everyone around her! She is so nice to be around. Always has a smile!” And  former colleague Liz Dennis said this of Ellie, “She ensured several patrons got what they needed. They had unique requests and she had the answers. Ellie is an awesome coworker. She is friendly and helpful without prompt. Thank you Ellie!”

 Each month a winner is selected by random drawing. Other staff members nominated in April include Amanda Applegate, Amanda Embrey, Shawnda Mosson, Bob Ohlrich, Julia Phipps, Pat Schwartz, Leo Stiner, Tiffany Thieneman, and Coby Young.

Article by Alisa Burch, Director