LIBRARY DIRECTOR IS PLEASED WITH JACKSON'S PEOPLE, SCENERY

Although Nancy Howland has not seen Jackson without a thin layer of snow cover, the new Riverside Regional Library director has been pleased with the community.

"I like it very much," she said Tuesday. "It has a nice hometown feel. It's small enough for you to get to know people. Of course it's also a beautiful area around here."

Howland began work Jan., coming from Jefferson City, Mo., where she worked at the Missouri State Library as a federal grants administrator and state data coordinator and has worked in public libraries in the Dallas, Texas, Tucson, Ariz., and Hannibal, Mo.

Howland would love to see the library get a new building for its main Jackson facility.

"We're bursting at the seams in this building," she said. "I'd like to see a new building some day."

In the meantime, the new director would like to see the library and its patrons increase the library's use.

"I'd like to see more outreach programs and see more people coming to the library to see all of the things we have to offer," she said. "We have books, videos, Internet access, computers, programs, a public meeting room and more."

Howland oversees six branches Jackson, Perryville, Altenburg, Scott City, Benton and Oran. She had kind words for the librarians at the branch facilities.

"The staffs in each facility are very friendly," she said. "They do a really good job being a part of the community and knowing the community. They're very helpful."

Howland, who was born in Warrensburg, Mo., but spent her childhood all over the southern United States, received her bachelor's and master's degrees in library science from Texas Women's University in Denton, Texas, after attending Central Missouri State University and the Kansas City Art Institute.

Howland has three grown sons and a granddaughter, all of whom live in the state.

"I'm really delighted to be here," she said. "I have a great staff to work with. Everybody is so cooperative. I really like them."

After working in some larger market settings, Howland likes the pace in Jackson.

"It's a little more relaxed here," she said. "All the people I've met in stores and wherever are very friendly. I hope it stays this way."