Mary Manley

Do you want answers?  Do you want to know how best to use the Library’s resources?  Our Information Services Librarians are always ready to assist, and one you will meet is Mary Manley.  Mary provides answers to reference questions, assists library patrons and provides bibliographic instruction (how to use the library and do research).  Mary has been at Parkland for one year and says she enjoys the "appreciation from everyone, patrons and co-workers."  When asked what she likes about Parkland she responded that it is "like a microcosm of community, there is ethnic and cultural diversity" and "people recognize you and you feel like you belong."  Of the Parkland Library staff she says she likes the "team spirit" and "supportive" attitude of her colleagues.  

Mary is quite well traveled both in this country and abroad.  She was born in Corvallis, Oregon, but moved around a lot until high school, which she attended in Sycamore, Illinois.  Mary obtained her undergraduate degree in English from Rockford College.  She eventually made her way to the Champaign-Urbana area (her brother lives here) and worked as a clerk in the University of Illinois’ engineering library.  The experience sparked an interest in Library Science, in which Mary later earned her Master’s Degree from the U of I.

Mary's love of traveling influences her other love - an interest in all kinds of foods, from all over the world.  Her passion for cooking came about early in life when she would spend time helping her grandmother bake.  While most young girls earned money by babysitting, Mary would bake bread.  Her parents would then take the bread to work to sell.  In this way, she eventually saved enough money to take her first trip to Europe.  Mary says that cooking is a "creative outlet" for her and that it makes her feel "centered."

In her leisure time Mary enjoys entertaining.  For example, Mary is hosting a themed dinner party for Beethoven’s birthday (December 16th).  Mary will be preparing some of Beethoven’s favorite foods which she says include white fish and macaroni with parmesan cheese.  For dessert she will create a white chocolate cake (mmmmm……hungry?).

So, next time you visit Parkland Library, stop by and say hello to Mary, a creative culinary artiste and Information Services Librarian extraordinaire!