Heather featured in Citizens’ Advocate as Library Employee of the Year

It is always nice to get a little recognition for all your hard work. In a recent edition of a local Texas newspaper, Heather was featured in its employee spotlight column. We hope you enjoy the article! —J&H

May City Employee Spotlight: Heather Fink, Library Clerk

By Lara Laschen

If you visit Cozby Library and Community Commons during the week, you’re sure to see Heather Fink buzzing around, using her boundless energy and 27-plus years of library expertise to help patrons find exactly what they need and more. Quick on her feet and easy with a smile, she is a favorite among patrons and employees alike. Recently named Library Employee of the Year by her peers, the spirited library clerk lives by the philosophy that not only does each book in the library have a story to tell and a lesson to teach, but each person does as well.

Fink’s love for stories and learning began at a young age when she would close down the library with her six siblings in her hometown of Cincinnati, Ohio, every Friday night. That same library provided her with her first job at 14, helped her put herself through occupational therapy school at Cincinnati State University and became home for the first 24 years of her lifelong library career.

After stops in Texarkana and Massachusetts, Heather settled in at Cozby Library about two years ago and said she has been enjoying the City of Coppell’s positive atmosphere created by City employees and citizens. She says one of the favorite aspects of her job is the opportunity to work with and learn from the public.

She was recently commended for her work with special needs students from Coppell Independent School District, helping to teach them life, occupational and interpersonal skills through a partnership with the Library. One student hugged her at the end of the program—a breakthrough moment for this particular student—and the experience reinforced what her peers already knew—she has a gift for connecting with people and serves with a servant’s heart.

When she is not in the library, she’s heading off the beaten path to travel, hike, find good music or read, of course. She spends a lot of time writing reviews and providing feedback to authors of books that have not yet been published on the blog she runs with her husband Jathan at jathanandheather.com. Look for a review by Fink coming soon to a book jacket near you!

[Citizens’ Advocate]