Dublin-Worthington News Stories

Member Spotlight: Ann Pechacek

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Wednesday, May 12, 2021
By: Paul J. Cynkar
Advancing the Leadership Mindset
Finding Success in the Success of Others
February, 2021
This is another in a series of member profiles based on discovery interviews that were designed to help me fulfill the requirements of the Dublin Worthington Rotary Red Badge Program for new Rotarians and get an up close view of the traits and strengths of some of the members who provide leadership to this organization.
Membership Spotlight:  Ann Pechacek
Harmony, Relator, Lifelong Learner

 
  1. Tell me about yourself.  Give me three facts that include information about your family, your career, and your pastimes. 
     
I am originally from Oklahoma and Oklahoma is in my blood!  From there I went to the University of Alaska (I always wanted to live there.) then back across country to Fayetteville, North Carolina.  I have been in Worthington since 2001 and I’m settled here.  I am the Lead Librarian at the Old Worthington Library where I spend a most of my time with working with kids and teens. 

 
  1. How long have you belonged to Rotary?  What’s the best thing about membership?

Chuck Gibson was responsible for leading me to Rotary.  Rotary gives me a chance to extend my work with teens as part of the Interact Club.  It also helps me meet new people and do volunteer work.
 
  1. As you look back on your life and your career, where and when did you have the biggest impact on others?  Who was impacted and how? 
     
I’d have to say it is working with teens.  I have met with many teens through the library and through book talks and book clubs.  I feel that the kids who come into the library really like books and books influence their lives and my greatest impact is getting that one reluctant teen or child the book that will lead them to a lifetime of learning and reading.
 
  1. As you look back, which of the opportunities you have/had has been the most fulfilling to you personally?  Why?
Again, working with teens.  I am fulfilled when I have the opportunity to make a difference for, or with, a teen.  I have been a librarian for 22 years and 21 of those years I focused on teens, now I have a chance to work with younger kids and recommend books for years to come.
 
  1. Describe the most challenging project you have ever worked on.  What was your role?  What was the result?
I’m proud to say that the challenges at work seem manageable even through 2020, the COVID-19 year.  I am ready for patrons to come back to the library.  I want to get back into schools for class visits and book clubs too.
  1. What are some things you are passionate about?  What really excites you? What gets your adrenalin flowing?  What makes your heart sing?
I love to travel and to experience different cultures.  I have been to Africa, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Italy, and a few more.  The list of places I’d like to visit is pretty lengthy.  Travel makes me happy and if it includes world-wide travel or local road trips I hope to continue to explore.

 
  1. What are you especially skilled at?  What is something that others often tell you that they think makes you stand out? 
People tell me I have a sense of humor.  They also say I focus on other people’s accomplishments rather than my own.
  1. When you have a moment to sit back and think (dream) about your future, what do you think about?
Hopefully retiring from the Worthington Libraries then moving closer to my sister who lives in Texas.  Scotland and Iceland are high up on my travel bucket list and I would like to go back to Africa.
  1. If you could choose anyone (alive or deceased) to have lunch with, who would it be? Why?   
My lunch partner would not be a celebrity or an author.  I would prefer to have lunch with my grandmother who passed away in the early 1990’s.  She was a volunteer librarian and loved to read.  I think we could have a great adult conversation.

 

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