About Us

JCL - Director Cindy Hayes has served patrons at JCL for 30 years! That's given her plenty of time for her favorite part of the job: the relationships.

"The thing I love most about my job is talking to people," she said, "and especially our patrons - some of whom I have known for the 30 years I have worked here."

In addition to her extensive community involvement -- the Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Library, Jefferson County Genealogical Society -- she enjoys delving into her family history or a good book. She's looking to add a four-legged friend to her family... small canines welcome to apply!

JCL - Arnold branch manager Meredith McCarthy has worked for JCL since 1996, and she says that every day is different - it's one of the reasons she loves her job! Along with the fact that "we get to help people in so many ways."

At the library, you might find Meredith doing anything from helping someone print a return mailing label to teaching tech skills classes. 

In her free time, in addition to "of course reading," she'll be attending comic cons and watching the Cardinals play. FYI, Willie McGee is her favorite Cardinals player she saw play and Bob Gibson is her favorite player she never saw play.

Gary Grzeskowiak has served at JCL since 2022, and he loves being on the library's team. "I get excited each day seeing the impact of the services we offer to our community," he says. "As the Facilities Supervisor, my top priority is to ensure that we always offer a safe and welcoming environment for all patrons, staff, and community members."

His favorite library resource is the Library of Things, with two exclamation marks!

In his free time, Gary heads to the water. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends on the lake.

Technical services manager Kate Coleman has worked at JCL for over two decades. "My favorite part of the job is absolutely the people I work with," she says, "but a close second is sharing my knowledge by training colleagues all across the state." 

A library resource she loves? eMaterials. "As an audiobook fanatic, I don't know where I'd be without Libby and Hoopla!"

When she's not at work, you can find Kate completing word puzzles, book journaling, eating chocolate, "and of course reading!" Don't try to convince her that listening to books isn't reading; she'll stand strong on this conviction to the end!

Finance manager Lindsay Winkler has been at JCL since January of 2022. "My favorite part of my job is the challenge of maximizing our tax payer’s return on investment of their tax dollars with our library district’s collections, services, and programs," she says.

Lindsay loves making use of the eContent available through JCL. "I use Libby and/or Hoopla daily. E-Books, Audiobooks. I devour them!"

When she's not at JCL, Lindsay's often on the job of transporting her children to their activities, engrossed in a book, or practicing yoga.

Information Technology manager Kent Kamp has been at JCL since May 2024. "I like to help people with IT from a customer service standpoint," he says, and he's busy learning the ways he can do just that here at JCL.

Kent's still exploring JCL resources, and speaks positively of what he's seen. He observes that it's "definitely a different library experience than what I grew up with."

Outside of his time at the library, you might find Kent out on the links, collecting sports memorabilia and mint state coins, or "dabbling in the stock market." He loves time with grandchildren and other family, too!

Library Services and Outreach coordinator Aaliyah Kindt started at JCL in August 2024. After just a few weeks, she's already noted that one of her favorite aspects of her role is sharing about library resources at outreach events in the community. "The community energy is infectious and JCL gets to be a part of the bigger picture of growth in our neighborhoods," she says. "What an honor!"

Aaliyah also loves to experience the talent of JCL programming staff, noting "how many talented, kind, and purpose driven people are serving the community through the library."

Her favorite library resource? The Library of Things, hands down. "Literacy spans beyond books," she says. "I love that JCL has kits and tools to help people explore growth avenues inside and outside the pages of a book."

When she's not at work, Aaliyah loves to cook (but claims her baking skills are "terrible"), and her love of gardening has provided quite a bounty for the local deer. You may spot her at local restaurants, markets, parks, and festivals, too.