Connie Anderson, director of Pierceton Public Library, helps Clay Corbin check out at the library. Anderson is a busy lady. She’s a preschool teacher in the mornings and library director in the afternoons. Photo provided by Connie Anderson.

By Laurie Lechlitner
Staff Writer

PIERCETON — “I spend my days serving people of all ages,” stated Connie Anderson, Pierceton. “I’m a preschool teacher in the mornings and the library director in the afternoons. When I’m interacting with a person, whether it’s a preschooler or someone coming to the library, I want them to know that I accept them just the way they are. I want my area to be a safe place where people feel free to be themselves.”

Anderson majored in elementary education at Grace College. She began as a preschool teacher at Pierceton Presbyterian Church in 2000.

“I arrive in the classroom at 6:45 and make sure everything is ready for the students’ arriving at 8:30 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. We have our open activity and then work on our calendar. Next there’s Show and Tell, the students’ favorite part of the day. Then we do table activities with a transitional activity for those students who finish early. We work on sight words, simple reading words the children learn to recognize. We have our Bible lesson and snack. Then we break up into small groups, some playing with toys, others practicing their names or having simple testing. This allows us some one-on-one time with them. Last, they have recess and then go home.”

Anderson loves the children’s enthusiasm. “These kids are glad to be in school. They love me, their teacher. I couldn’t have a bad day seeing their smiling faces.”

Since she’s been there 24 years, Anderson has second generation students. “We live in a small town and it’s great to get to know the whole family.”

Her biggest challenge is keeping up with the standard increases. “I have to fit more into each day and still find time for the kids to have fun.”

In the afternoons, she’s director of Pierceton Public Library. “I’ve been an empty nester since 2012. I started as a library assistant in 2015. When the director retired, I moved into that position in 2020.” The library is open 5-7 p.m. Mondays, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-5 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

“When I get to the library the first thing I do is check my emails. Then I usually have some paperwork to do. At the end of the month, I’m busy getting the board agenda and minutes ready for the beginning of the following month. Our budget is set in September. I help plan programs and of course I spend some time waiting on patrons.”

Anderson loves interacting with people. “Whether I’m meeting new people or connecting with old friends, that’s my favorite part of the job. They come in and share life with us. They learn to trust us and feel comfortable at the library. I love that.”

She grew up in Warsaw and moved to Pierceton after she got married to her husband Brett.

The Andersons have two sons: Nate (Brie) who is a Marine and Sam (Jamee) who is in the entertainment industry.”

“My two grandsons: Braxton, 18 and Jaxon, 15 own my heart,” she stated. “When they come over it’s like living with my boys all over again. Except with my grandkids, I’m much more relaxed. We kept the boys over the summer when they were growing up.”