Director’s Interview: Debbie Clapp, Ladoga-Clark Township Public Library

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Kimberly Brown-Harden, Northwest Regional Coordinator recently had an opportunity to talk with Debbie Clapp, Director, Ladoga-Clark Township Public Library. She replaced Wanda Bennett who retired this year.  Debbie is very passionate and excited about libraries and how to best serve the patrons in her area.   Here’s her story: 

Debbie

What is your name?

Debbie Clapp

What is the name of the library you work for?

Ladoga-Clark Twp. Public Library

Are you from the area? If not, where are you from originally?

I live in Crawfordsville about 15 minutes away from Ladoga.

What inspired you to work in libraries?

It’s always the love of books, isn’t it? I love the stories-both in books and in the clients who come into the library looking for a book. Whether it is a book for light reading or a DIY book to fix the DIY task that went awry, there is always a story to be told.

What is your favorite thing about working for your library?

I love the people, especially the children. I love how the book captures them, at least for a moment, and they too are “in” the story.

What is your favorite book?

My favorite is usually the one I just finished, but I have read several books multiple times because I love them, such as The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings.

If you could have dinner with any three famous people in recorded history, who would they be and why?

My utmost favorite person in history is George Rogers Clark. He was known as the “Conqueror of the Old Northwest.” and led, with very small resources and in daunting weather and terrain, a group of men to victory during the Revolutionary War. I love his quote, “Great things have been effected by a few men well conducted.” I would love to speak with Mother Teresa because of her mercy, humility and utter focus on the needs of others. Finally, I would love to talk with the Apostle Paul about his travels and his utmost dedication to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?

I am an amateur, amateur, amateur painter in acrylics. I enjoy it and can see my own improvement but am still squarely in the level of expertise that my family begs me to not give them my artwork as gifts!!