Staff
Morgan Olson
Library Director
Coming soon!
Morgan Olson has been chosen to be the next director of the Unicoi County Public Library. Her first day at UCPL will be June 5. Morgan received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Tennessee and her Master’s in Library Science from Appalachian State University.
Morgan Olson says, “I am thrilled to be taking on the role as director of UCPL and leading such a vital community resource. Libraries play such a huge role in literacy, learning, and bringing people together. I look forward to working with the talented staff, library board, and the community of Unicoi County to ensure that this library continues to provide outstanding services, programs, and resources to anyone who walks through our doors or meets us out in the community.”
Hannah Garst
Circulation and Children’s Coordinator
Meet Miss Hannah, Little Lady with a Big Personality!
Hannah Garst wears both of the hats of Circulation and Children’s Coordinator and loves doing story times on Tuesdays. Some tidbits about her: she has one daughter, adores music and hiking, reading, board games and making ice cream. She is a part-time youth minister and believes libraries are vital to communities because they serve as bridges, connecting individuals to resources. Libraries provide information, language learning, programs, opportunities, and connection with others. Her favorite part of working at a library is getting (and keeping) children excited about reading.
Laura Elliott
Tech Services & Adult Coordinator
Meet Laura, Miss Community Spirit!
Laura was raised in beautiful Unicoi County where she, her amazing husband, and her three wonderful boys currently live. Aside from landing her dream job here at UCPL, Laura divides her time between homeschooling, spending time with her family, reading (of course!), crocheting, painting, and giving back to her community in any way she can. If you ask her why she does what she does, she will reply “It is a blessing to make someone smile, and I love seeing people happy!” Some of Laura’s favorite things are the office supply aisle (it’s true – just ask her husband), watching clean rom-coms, the color blue, and CHRISTMAS!
Casey Groll
Teen Coordinator
Meet Casey, Cat Enthusiast
Casey and her husband are new residents of Erwin and she is living her dream of working at a library in a beautiful mountain town. In her free time, you can find her curled up with her cats, reading books, knitting, playing board games, cooking, scrapbooking, learning French, going to trivia nights, or taking long walks around town with her dog, Senna. As a long-time library lover, she is thrilled to get the opportunity to partner with the community and build relationships with folks. She believes that libraries truly are the jumping point for endless opportunities, resources, connection, and community involvement. Her goal as our Teen Coordinator is to provide young people with the opportunity to fall in love with books and work together to make the library a fun, dynamic place.
Char Peery Ogborn
Library Clerk
Meet Char, Jack of All Trades!
Char has worked as both a medical and academic librarian and is thrilled to now be working in a public library at a place as charming as Unicoi County. She is new to the area and loves the natural beauty and wonderful community she has found here. Passionate about libraries, Char loves reading, learning anything new, and creating. She also loves baking and spending time with her 3 small dogs. She is excited to continue to connect Unicoi County residents with the amazing resources the library has to offer.
Mikaela Langley
Homebound Coordinator and Clerk
Meet Mikaela, Miss History!
Mikaela is originally from Nutbush, TN (hometown of the wonderful Tina Turner) and is a musician that graduated from ETSU with a major in Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies and a minor in Appalachian Studies. Her main instruments are fiddle, banjo, guitar, and mandolin, and can sing (just a little bit). Her interests are in all things Appalachian: music, culture, history, geography, geology, folklore, and just about anything else you could think of (she can even sport full colonial wear). She has an extensive rock collection and loves to go digging through the dusty avenues of an antique store. She is grateful to live here in this beautiful place and to be part of this happy little family at the UCPL!
Nidia Emil
Library Clerk
Meet Nidia, Miss Energetic
Nidia loves music, cooking, and taking care of people. She says that “The UCPL is such a great place to work because of my co-workers.” Her goal is to get people to read more and try new things. She teaches a wonderful Spanish class and when she is not working at the library, she is trying new recipes.
Elizabeth Kyker
Library Clerk
Meet Elizabeth, Miss How Many Books Can I Read At One Time?!
Elizabeth is a grad of the University of SC at Columbia, where she earned her degree in Literature and Italian Language. She is a native of the Lowcountry of South Carolina and is still most happy when listening to crashing waves, sipping on iced tea, and reading a good book. Aside from trying to keep up with her book hoard, she spends her time homeschooling her children, serving in her church and community, and communing with the various livestock on her family farm. She enjoys regional stories, campfires, fresh cut grass, and lots of coffee. It’s been her lifelong dream to work in a library!
Story
Library Royalty
Meet Story, Our Library Cat
Meow, meow meow meow. Meow meow, meowzers. Meow meow meow meow. Meow. Meow, meow meow meow meow meow. Meow meow meow meow. Purr, purr, purr.