04/21/2026
This week is National Library Week, with this year’s theme being “Find Your Joy.” In honor of this, the Friends of the Library are sharing a little about Gibson Memorial Library's librarians and what brings them joy in their job.
Library Director Danielle Dickinson Thaden:
Danielle has been with Gibson Memorial Library for four years. Her favorite part of the job is connecting with kids and families and helping them connect to each other and the library. She wishes everyone knew about the library service Libby, an app for all your e-book and audiobook needs.
She can’t quite narrow down a favorite book or author, but she loves books by Rainbow Rowell, Lucy Foley and children’s books written by Chris Haughton. Danielle thinks everyone should read “Long Way Down” by Jason Reynolds and “Maybe” by Chris Haughton.
Assistant Library Director Jordan Foote:
Jordan has been with the Gibson Memorial Library for about three and a half years total. His favorite part of his job is getting to constantly use creative problem solving. Jordan wishes everyone knew about the library of things.
His favorite book is “Big Kids” by Michael DeForge, and he recommends everyone read “Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions” by Edwin A. Abott.
Library Programming Specialist Heather Pingree:
Heather has been with the Gibson Memorial Library for almost four years. Her favorite part of the job is helping people and coming up with fun programming. She wishes everyone knew about the library’s online resources such as Ancestry, Mometrix, DOT practice tests, Iowa Heritage Digital Collections, Creston Historic Preservation Commission and Kanopy.
Heather’s favorite book is “The Things We Leave Unfinished” by Rebecca Yarros, and she thinks everyone should read “If It Makes You Happy” by Julie Olivia.
Carol McKee:
Carol has been with the Gibson Memorial Library for eight years. Her favorite part of the job is the people she works with. “We all help each other where needed. We’re a family,” she said. Carol wishes everyone knew about all the free programs the library offers for both children and adults.
Her favorite author is Agatha Christie, and she thinks everyone should read “Educated” by Tara Westover.
Donna Walsh:
Donna has been with the Gibson Memorial Library for 18 years. Her favorite part of the job is finding and requesting interlibrary loan books for her patrons while also sending out ILL books to other libraries. She also loves seeing patrons be excited when they check out a book. Donna wishes everyone knew that all the library’s programs and activities are free.
Her favorite book as a child was “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott. As an adult, she has too many she loves to pick a favorite. She thinks everyone should read “In Every Life” by Marla Frazee and “Protocol: The Power of Diplomacy” by Capricia Penavic Marshall.
Terry Madison:
Terry has been with the Gibson Memorial Library for 21 and a half years. Her favorite part of the job is doing genealogy. A library service she wished everyone knew about is that you can check out pictures and paintings.
Terry’s favorite author is Beverly Lewis, and she thinks everyone should read “The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi” by Kathie Lee Gifford.
Judy Johnson:
Judy has been with the Gibson Memorial Library for two and a half years. Her favorite part of the job is working on projects. Judy wishes everyone knew about interlibrary loans, where you can check out books from other libraries.
Her favorite author is Richard Paul Evans, and a book she thinks everyone should read is the Bible.
Please join us in thanking our local librarians for all they do for our community!
