Mitchell librarian ‘Ms. Shelly’ retires after 28 years

THE WOODLANDS, TX – After nearly three full decades of shepherding children into full-fledged reading programs, Shelly Lane spent her last day as a librarian at Mitchell Library in The Woodlands, where children and coworkers wished her well in her retirement.

Woodlands Online caught up with ‘Ms. Shelly,’ as she’s been affectionately known by children over the decades, at her party, where she was surrounded by fellow librarians, young members of her children’s summer reading program, and even the Chick-fil-A Cow. Ms. Shelly was kind enough to answer some of our questions.

How long have you been with the Montgomery County Library System?
I’ve been with Mitchell Library for 20 years, pretty much ever since its opening, and helped plan out the children’s department; before that, I spent eight years at the central library in Conroe.

How did you become involved in the library?
Our whole family is school teachers – Mom and four aunts – and I always loved helping kids learn. But I didn’t want to get into teaching; I went to work in administration at the library instead. But our director at the time told me I was really good with the kids and I should apply for the children’s assistant position, which I did.

After that and spending time in the children’s storytime reading program, she encouraged me to go back to school and get my Master’s degree, which I did while working full time at Central.I eventually applied for the library here and was lucky enough to get it.

What’s changed or stuck with you over the years?
I love that this is the library system I myself grew up using; I remember riding my bicycle to the Bookmobile every two weeks for summer reading. To be able to turn around and actually plan the summer reading program, and getting kids excited about reading and bringing in presenters is amazing.

The biggest change is how things have gone digital. We grew up with the card catalogue system; today you can download library books directly onto your tablets.

This seems more a family gathering place than a typical library. Is this on purpose?
This isn’t the old-style with people going ‘shhh’ – kids are here to have fun; the entire children’s section is all over the ground floor, and the entire family can come to have fun. It’s been a fun ride for me. I have kids who used to come here as toddlers who are now college students and I’ve gotten to see them grow. It’s been a blessing to be a part of it. Although I do miss the Bookmobile, that big Winnebago.

What’s next for you?
I am part of Daughters of the Republic of Texas and in May will be sworn in as district representative on the board of management. I’ll do that and some more volunteer work, as well as spending more time with family and maybe a little traveling.

Please join Woodlands Online on wishing Ms. Shelly well wishes on her hard-earned retirement.

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