Library Adds to Youth Services Team – The Advocate-Messenger

1 of 2

PRESS RELEASE

Libraries play a vital role in the lives of many children and families, inspiring young minds with enriching materials and creative activities. The Boyle County Public Library provides a welcoming environment for people of all ages to connect and explore.

Recently, the library added two new faces to the Youth Services team. Kim Hacker will be the Children’s Services Librarian and Rachael Boyd will be the Young Adult Services Librarian. Hacker will focus on families and kids ages 0-8, while Boyd will focus on tweens and teens ages 9-18.

Kim Hacker is the new Children’s Services Librarian. Before coming to BCPL, Hacker was a school librarian at Lancaster Elementary and taught 3rd grade for 11 years. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and two children, and enjoys reading both science fiction and realistic fiction. Hacker attended Eastern Kentucky University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education and a master’s degree in library science. She said she had always wanted to work in a public library and was thrilled when the opportunity arose. “I love working with families here at BCPL,” Hacker said. “I love that I’m not just working with the child, but with the parents, grandparents and siblings. I’m really starting to feel part of the community and I love that.

Her vision for the children’s library is to be a place where all children can belong. “Whether it’s books, resources or programs, I want all of our Boyle County children to feel like they can find what they need here and are welcome.” Hacker will be offering new programs that will change from month to month and encourages families to check the library calendar to see what’s available.

“BCPL already had a strong library program,” Hacker said. “I hope to continue to help it grow and provide exciting programs, as well as expand our collection to meet the wants and needs of our customers.”

This role was previously filled by longtime librarian Libby McWhorter, who moved to the library’s outreach team in September.

Rachael Boyd will serve as the Young Adult Services Librarian. Born in Kentucky, she moved to Louisiana when she was 11 years old. After graduating from high school, she studied acting and traveled all over the United States performing in theater, television, and film. “I entered the library scene after I started volunteering at our college library as part of our high school work-study program,” Boyd said. She loved the experience and, after graduating from college, began working part-time in the Shreve Memorial Library system while pursuing an acting career. Boyd returned to Kentucky in 2016 with her spouse. They currently live in Winchester with their baby and two old dogs. Some of his hobbies include writing, filmmaking, watching classic movies, and volunteering at their local animal shelter.

Prior to joining BCPL, Boyd worked as Executive Director of Main Street Winchester in Clark County, which focused on the preservation and revitalization of the historic downtown area. She also previously worked for the Lexington Public Library. Boyd is thrilled to be at BCPL and would like there to be a central location and meeting place for the young adult section. “I want to create programming that is not just fun, but can facilitate learning and growth in ourselves and in service to others around us,” Boyd said. She wants to create a space for teens to come after school, “hang on, read and decompress before heading out into the world again”.

“I’m excited to be at BCPL and working with young adults because it’s an exciting and nerve-wracking time as a teenager,” Boyd said. “If I can give a single teenager the space to feel free and safe, to ask questions and find answers, and maybe discover love or writing, a new author or an afterschool program that loves, so I consider my work a success.” Boyd recognizes that teenagers and children are our future. “I’m so grateful to be able to help them grow into kind, cool adults who may change our community and our world.”

The Youth Services Department also includes Kinsey Hisle as Head of Youth Services Department and Ellie Searcy as Youth Services Assistant. “We are thrilled to have Rachael and Kim join our team,” said Hisle. “The two women immediately clicked with our staff. The four of us put youth and families first, and we want to provide the best possible services for young people to succeed.success in learning and personal development. Everyone is bursting with new ideas! I am excited to see how we can combine all our talents towards this common goal.