Who We Are/What We Do

The Children's Department is staffed by five professional librarians skilled at working with children and providing a variety of children's programs and services. We also work closely with parents and teachers. We all have received a master's degree in library science (MLS), and most of us are members of the Bloomington Storytellers' Guild. Call us at (812) 349-3100.

Josh Wolf Lisa Champelli Mary Frasier
Ellen Arnholter Christina Jones

Ask us for assistance at the Children's Services Reference Desk whenever the library is open. We can show you how to find materials to help with homework, recommend good books for kids of all ages and provide quick tours of our department to familiarize you with the organization of our collection and explain the kinds of resources we have.

Several talented Children's Reference Assistants, experienced in working with children, also staff our Reference Desk and help provide library services to young people and their families:

Pat Firenze Janet Lambert Julie Martin Kathy Starks

Note: Patty Callison, former Children's Services Manager, retired in February 2007 after 23 years of service to Monroe County Public Library.
Ginny Richey, long-time manager of MCPL Children's Services, retired from MCPL in August 2003. She can be reached by email at ginnyrichey @ yahoo.com
Mary D'Eliso, former Assistant Manager of MCPL Children's Services, now shares her many talents with the students of University School in MCCSC.