For the past 10 years, Innisfail Public Library children's programmer Miss Sherry has been connecting with local children through programs at the library.
Either through her popular “Storytime” program or through crafts, the library staffer has made a connection with children in the community that was obvious during a celebration in honour of her 10th anniversary with the library last week. Children smothered her with hugs as local parents, friends and colleagues gifted her with flowers and congratulations. An estimated 30 to 40 people turned up at the celebration last Tuesday afternoon.
Sherry Driezen started working with the library on April 7, 2003. Before that she worked part time at Discoveries Playschool in Innisfail. But her work at the library began as a practical post-secondary school project. As part of her early learning and childcare studies at Red Deer College, she developed children's programming at the library including the Storytime program.
“Shortly after that, the position came open, so I applied,” she said.
Miss Sherry is a moniker that Driezen inherited back when she worked at the playschool. It was easier for young children to pronounce than Mrs. Driezen was, she explained. Eventually, Miss Sherry was a name that caught on with parents and others. It's not uncommon for people to address her as such outside of her job, she said.
“When I go downtown I'm still Miss Sherry.”
The children's programmer holds Storytime for preschool children on Tuesday afternoons and on Wednesday and Friday mornings. It's when children get together for stories, crafts and activities. She is also in charge of the “ABCs” program on Monday mornings when preschool children take part in crafts and activities that reinforce letter recognition.
Miss Sherry was born in Innisfail and has lived in the area all her life. She has been married for over 30 years and has two adult children. She loves her job and she loves children. What she loves most about her job is getting to know the local children that participate in her programs and also watching them grow up.
“You get to see them grow up. They grow up too fast,” she said.
Among attendees at the celebration for Miss Sherry was former librarian Colleen Hayden. Hayden was the librarian at the Innisfail Public Library for 19 years. She worked with Miss Sherry for eight of those years.
“She is wonderful with the children – very patient and loving,” Hayden said. “They all loved her. She is very dedicated and she was just a pleasure to have as our children's programmer. It is just so great that she is being honoured.”
Miss Sherry's work is valuable to children in the community as well as for the future of the library, Hayden added.
“Children is where it all starts when it comes to being used to coming to the library. She is the one that makes the impact right from the beginning and it's been very positive.”
Current library clerk Benita Dalton said Miss Sherry is great to work with.
“She is great with the kids. I don't think I've ever seen a child that hasn't looked excited when they come in here for Storytime. She is really awesome to work with, she knows all the children,” Dalton said.
Four-year-old Mia Rib was one of the first to give Miss Sherry a big hug during the celebration last week. She was a bit shy to conduct an interview with the local newspaper, but her mother, Elena, said Mia started attending Miss Sherry's programs back in September. It is where the young girl first learned to use scissors, Elena said.
“She loves it.”
For Miss Sherry, the children that participate in her programs are like family.
“These kids are sort of like my grandchildren. Some of them I've known for like 10 years,” Miss Sherry said.
