These blog posts give our community a chance to better know their friendly Willoughby-Eastlake Library employees.
Meet Deb Mullen, Manager of our Willoughby Library!
Why do you love libraries? What is your earliest library memory?
I grew up in Willoughby and this was my library as a kid. I loved learning how to use the card catalog and find items by myself. I was one of those kids who would read dictionaries and encyclopedias if there was nothing else available. Newspapers too! As a tween I would ride my bike to the library (I lived near Dorthea Davis—the “Sheep Farm Lady” and former long-time librarian at Willoughby) and I would check out Barbara Cartland romance novels and 33 RPM records. Yes, I am old!
What do you like to do in your free time?
My passion is music and I love to sing—even though I don’t do it as well as I used to. God speaks to me through music in a unique way. The library has an amazing collection of Christian music on CD or streaming on Hoopla!
What is your favorite quote, passage, or piece of advice, and where did you read or receive it?
I’m currently listening to the Bible in a Year podcast by Fr. Mike Schmitz and after a particular section he talked about living reflectively and not reflexively. So often we are ruled by the “tyranny of the urgent” that we can lose sight of the big picture. We aren’t always able to appreciate the little joys in life because we are bouncing from issue to issue. It’s important to take the time to reflect on our blessings and our ultimate goals for our lives.
What is a library “hidden treasure” that you want patrons to know about or know more about?
Here at Willoughby Library we are all about local history and local authors. We even have a special fund from the bequest of Francelia M. Worrallo with which we purchase rare books related to local history among other popular materials on the subject.
What are you currently reading?
I recently enjoyed Stay Awake by Megin Goldin and Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney. Both books keep you guessing right up until the end!
