By Tricia Hartmann
After 14 years of service Johnson City Library Director Maggie Goodman is retiring. The community is invited to a come-and-go farewell celebration in her honor on Wednesday, December 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Johnson City Record Courier asked Goodman to share some of her experiences, and Goodman credits her family for much of her outlook.
“In the words of Maya Angelou, ‘We all stand on the shoulders of our ancestors.’ My family has had a big influence on me. My maternal grandmother died in the 1918 influenza pandemic, as well as her two sons. The children in my mother’s family grew up during the Depression, picking cotton, and I’m very proud to say that their values of caring, hard work, and independence are inherent in me. I also inherited my curiosity, which is a good thing because one of the main traits of a librarian is the importance and love of learning.”
Goodman’s paternal grandparents were Polish immigrants, and her father was first generation Polish American. In World War II the Army transferred him to Fort Hood where he and Goodman’s mother first met. “My Dad’s dream was to buy some acreage, and so I grew up in the country,” Goodman said.
After her high school graduation, Goodman left Killeen to attend the University of Texas at Austin, and then left college to travel, marry and start a family. She later completed her degree in Theatre Arts when her son finished high school.
“Although my theatre background is my primary interest it’s a difficult field to get into,” said Goodman. She worked with a theatre group in Austin and enjoyed acting in a troupe that performed in the Hill Country. Although she was never employed as a classroom teacher, Goodman began teaching drama as a supplemental income and discovered an aptitude for teaching.
Goodman managed a non-profit thrift store in Austin for a number of years, then moved to Blanco County 22 years ago. After commuting to work in Austin for seven years, it was time to look for work in Blanco County.
Because of her experience with teaching children’s drama, Goodman was hired as a Discovery Academy teacher for the Johnson City Library. Goodman told the JCRC, “The Discovery after-school enrichment program for 3rd through 5th graders began in 2006. Through the years there were several library directors, and in 2011, I applied for and was hired as library director when an opening became available. Because of my work experience with the library and management experience, I grew into the job of Library Director, and I love it.”
Regarding how COVID has changed things at the library this year, Goodman said that the library closed for only a few weeks during the Governor’s stay-at-home order because libraries were specifically mentioned during the first reopening at 10%. “We’re almost back to full hours and people use the facilities as much as ever. About half of the visitors check out books, and the number of those who use our services of computer, printers, copying, faxing, and scanning has increased.”
“We have begun our programs again, including Discovery Academy. During the last year we’ve totally remodeled throughout the library with all new furnishings, added a small meeting room, new bookcases, and we are now adding a Makerspace. The Makerspace is a large converted closet with a 3-D printer, sewing machines and other equipment. Our makerspace is an area where people can learn and share their knowledge of different types of technologies, such as sewing and jewelry making.”
Goodman also shared some of her favorite memories from her time at the library. “I am really proud of my time with Discovery Academy because I love working with kids, and through hands-on activities they are instilled with a lifelong love of learning. When we first started we took the students on overnight trips. We went to the McDonald Observatory, the Johnson Space Center, the State Aquarium, and the East Piney Woods -what fantastic memories! Since Discovery Academy began I’ve seen many wonderful young people come through this program and graduate, and so many of them go into careers in the sciences. It is with gratitude, that the program has this remarkable legacy.”
Goodman added, “I am so proud that the library is a community center, and we’re able to do so much more than just check out books. Since I’ve been director we’ve added so many new technologies, and we present wonderful and entertaining programs to the community that are also educationally enriching. I’ve enjoyed using my creativity to help create those programs and services for the enhancement of the library and the community.”
For example, the library received a grant from Humanities Texas for a traveling exhibit depicting Hurricane Harvey survivors through photographs and short statements of their experiences. Texas Monthly had earlier written an article entitled “Voices from a Storm,” consisting of interviews with survivors of Hurricane Harvey.
The article followed these survivors through events of the storm as they happened chronologically and geographically. Goodman created a script from the article which the library produced as a Readers Theatre.
“We were so fortunate to have a cellist who played behind the readings. She made us feel we were in the storm with those survivors. The performance was so moving to the audience. It was really, really special.”
“COVID precipitated my decision to retire. I am ready to get out and travel and do some new things. I want to visit several places and cultures around the world, although COVID has put a damper on traveling for the moment. I also want to get back into some form of theatre, which may be storytelling or teaching. I plan to keep my connection with the library and continue to take part in programs.”
“I am grateful that we have been able to grow the library and have so many community partners. The library has a dynamic history and many people have worked to make it the great place that it is. I will miss the interaction with all the wonderful people of the community more than anything else when I retire.”
The Johnson City Library is located at 501 N Nugent Avenue, and the phone number is (830) 868-4469. The email address is [email protected], and the mailing address is P.O. Box 332, Johnson City TX, 78636.
