Pictured is Alice Cook, who has recently taken on the role of library director for the Clymer-French Creek Free Library. P-J photo by Sara Holthouse

CLYMER — A love of English, books and a past in service work has come together for Alice Cook as she steps into the role of library director for the Clymer-French Creek Free Library.

Located at 564 Clymer Sherman Road, the Clymer-French Creek Free Library has been in search of a new director following previous, long-time director Darlene Redlecki stepping down from the role in September. Cook took on the role at the end of October.

“I absolutely love books and English,” Cook said. “I was an English major in college. We’ve lived in five different places over the last eight years and I have always been associated with the library in some way in all of those places. My whole family loves books and I have also done service work in the past. I think that fits here because the library is essential to creating a safe place in the community, so I am combining my English and service history.”

In the short time that she has been in the position, Cook said she has seen that there is a large population in Clymer that also loves to read books. Additionally, the library has the ability to offer Internet access for those who do not have it, and can provide a place for people to go when they want to get out of the house.

“It gives a safe place and safe activities during the winter to help people battle their cabin fever,” Cook said. “Clymer is a warm and welcoming community and I think we help show that through our programs and outreach.”

One of Cook’s big goals for her job is to rev up the library’s programming again, something she said Redlecki did an amazing job with and that there were many programs done over the summer that Cook participated in with her kids. Other goals for Cook include branching out to school aged children and offering them things such as homework help, along with others such as reorganizing the juvenile section.

“I also just want to listen to people who come in and hear what they want,” Cook said. “I want to find out why the people who don’t come in don’t come. I want to find a way to make more space in the library for people to enjoy.”

Her new position is something that Cook said she does not take lightly, and something that she wants to use to continue to connect with the local youth. Cook currently works with her husband, Jarrod Cook, and others at the Abbe Reformed Church, which they attend, and other local churches to provide programs for local youth, and that is something she hopes to continue with the library. She referred to the Clymer community as wonderful, and a place that she hopes to be immersed in and that her kids are happy to grow up in.

“I am also so excited to be surrounded by books every day,” Cook said.

The most important thing that Cook said she wants people to know about her is that she is extremely understanding and accepting, and that people should never be afraid to come to her with questions. She said she is glad to do anything she can to help and to in general make people’s day better, and invited anyone that thinks they might have a great idea for the library to send them her way.

“I’m just really excited to be the new director and to support the community,” Cook said.