East Lansing Public Library Director Kristin Shelley poses for a portrait Sept. 12, 2013, at the library. Shelley organizes all things happening at the library and also is on the board that decides the book for One Book, One Community that every incoming MSU freshman must read. Margaux Forster/The State News
Kristin Shelley’s heart has always been with the community.
Shelley, the director of the East Lansing Public Library, or ELPL, is on the board that decides the featured book for the One Book, One Community program, which is designed to create positive conversation between students and permanent East Lansing residents.
“We look for a good piece of literature that has a lot of meat,” said Shelley, a professional librarian of 24 years. “We have to pick a book that will appeal to the average 18-year-old college freshman and to the senior that’s 65.”
When she came to East Lansing in January 2011, Shelley made it her mission to reach out to the MSU community. The ELPL began offering free renewable library cards to MSU students and it also is a work-study site for students who have financial needs. ELPL hosts the annual East Lansing Welcomes the World, an event to introduce international students to the city.
“I really truly love learning about people and their cultures, (and) the cities that they’re from,” Shelley said.
However, Shelley wasn’t always on track to being a librarian. She originally studied political science at Indiana University in the 1980s.
“I thought I would go into law school or (work in) social work,” Shelley said. “I really wanted to help in a community.”
After doing some research, Shelley found neither suited her and she began looking for other options.
She drew inspiration from an uncle who was a rare books librarian and traveled across the world to collect them, and from another friend who began pursuing a career in libraries.
Shelley then got a master’s degree in library sciences from Indiana University.
“(It’s) a lot like being a community-based social worker,” Shelley said. “I could provide information equally and to all by being a librarian.”
Shelley worked in the Ohio library system until she moved to East Lansing to be the public library director.
“I loved the idea of going back to a true college town,” Shelley said.
As someone who is immersed in literature on a daily basis, Shelley enjoys reading. She favors heavier and darker books.
“Reading about that makes my life look really good,” Shelley said with a laugh.
Her favorite book this year is “The Round House” by Louise Erdrich.
She advises college students to not be afraid to experiment with finding a place in the world.
“You have to think about the world around you, the people around you,” Shelley said. “How do you fit into making the world a better place?”
Shelley continues to look forward to helping the East Lansing community thrive and grow.
“Public libraries are where my heart is,” Shelley said.
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