Wood plans for library’s new building

MADISON – “Madison has fun of a big city and charm of a small town. With our breweries, restaurants and shops, there’s not a shortage for things to do or people to meet,” Anne Wood said.

Although Madison’s exponential growth continues, “It will only get more exciting. Madison will never outgrow its warm and hospitable roots,” she said.

After graduating from Huntsville High School, Wood earned a bachelor’s degree in English, minor in art history, at Birmingham-Southern College. She then received a master’s degree in library/information services at the University of Alabama.

“Outside of studying abroad at Oxford, I have called Alabama my home for my entire 26 years of existence,” Wood said.

After graduate school, Wood lived with her parents in Huntsville. She worked as manager of Harrison Brothers gift shop while actively looking for a job in librarianship. In April 2016, she accepted the position of Adult Services Librarian at Madison Public Library.

A few months later, Wood decided to move to Madison to serve library patrons better as a resident. “I haven’t regretted it once,” she said.

After living in Huntsville, Birmingham and Madison, Wood sees Madison as well educated, a perk for a public librarian. “I serve a community that truly has a passion for learning new things. My job is never a bore. People really use their library and local resources,” she said.

“My job involves absolutely zero ‘shushing.’ The library is a busy place and honestly pretty loud,” Wood said. For adults, she coordinates book clubs, signings, sign language classes, along with spelling bees at breweries, cooking demonstrations and buying materials.

For the new building, Wood is developing a plan for Makerspace, budgeting for machinery and brainstorming new programs.

Wood serves as Community Vice President of Junior League and appreciates its focus on promoting literacy. Programs like SAIL or Summer Adventures in Learning engage children in learning, she said.

She also volunteers with American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and A New Leash on Life as a foster parent.

“Anywhere from two to five little mutts run around at my home at any given time. My pets are pretty much my life, outside of the library. I have two (rescued) Chihuahua mixes, Evie and Randy,” Wood said.

Without doubt, her favorite band is the Rolling Stones. Modern favorites include Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, Chris Stapleton and Taylor Swift.

She enjoys visits to Old Black Bear, Stem & Stein and Cork & Crust.