By Melanie Carden, Leeds Jane Culbreth Library
LEEDS — If you have ever visited the public library in Leeds, you likely received a warm welcome from a kind woman drinking her cup of coffee. Her name is Ramona Jett and she has been a staple of the Leeds Jane Culbreth Library for over 20 years. Jett recently retired.
Mrs. Jett was always ready to give a listening ear to library visitors. Also, the love she held for her family was held in the many warm-warming stories she would share with her favorite library visitors and coworkers.
Jett is a graduate of Leeds High School and holds an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education. After years of substitute teaching for Leeds City Schools, Mrs. Jett obtained a library clerk position with longtime Library Director Doris Jarvis. While checking books out to library visitors, Mrs. Jett’s love of reading grew. She would notice their interesting selections and add those titles to her ever-expanding reading list.
She moved her way up to Circulation Manager by working diligently to ensure all library items were cared for, shelved properly, and checked out to patrons on demand. Along with her managerial duties, Jett hosted two long-standing, and highly attended, programs each month. Her degree in Early Children Education came in handy during her biweekly Tot Time program for children aged birth to five years old. This program incorporated reading picture books to children, craft time, and takeaway goodie bags for the attendees. Jett’s years in the Leeds community helped to boost attendance for her monthly A Time To Read book club. This group, which was co-hosted with recently retired Library Director Mondretta Williams, included discussing a popular book and enjoying the various snacks provided by Jett and the attending book club members.
Jett’s retirement began June 2020. She said she wanted to be able to spend more time with her beloved husband, Frankie, and her children and grandchildren. A retirement reception will be scheduled at a later date, depending on the current public health situation. In the meantime, cards and well wishes can be sent to the Leeds Jane Culbreth Library’s address: 8104 Parkway Drive Leeds, AL 35094.
Director Melanie Carden, Library Board members, Library Foundation members, Friends of the Leeds Library group, and library staff will miss Ramona and wish her well. Leeds Jane Culbreth Library will not be the same without her.