INSIDER HEROES
By the BOOK
Sophie Meridien helps local kids CONNECT to the stories of their lives Whether she’s working at the Mandel Public Library of West Palm Beach or brainstorming ideas for her next novel, Sophie Meridien knows the power of story—and its ability to transport young minds. “I think it goes back to being in school and having a really awesome English teacher or a really awesome librarian and me wanting to be that for these kids,” she says. “I want to be a helpful adult in their life who they can talk to—not just about books but also about regular life stuff.” Meridien has been a librarian at the Mandel Public Library for four years, helping teens reach their academic and social potential. During the school year, she runs the library’s teen homework center, where kids can come for free homework help, a healthy snack, or a friendly face. “Sometimes the kids don’t even have homework,” she admits. “They just need a safe place to hang out before their parents get home.” Her efforts have not gone unnoticed: In 2021, Meridien was recognized as Florida’s Most Outstanding New Librarian of the Year by the Florida Library Association. “There were quite a few awards being handed out, WE’RE TRYING TO BRING and I remember thinking, ‘All these librarians are super incred- THE LIBRARY TO TEENS WHO ible!’ To be a part of that was re- CAN’T MAKE IT TO THE LIBRARY. IT’S ONE OF THE ally awesome.” But Meridien’s impact reaches BEST PARTS OF THE JOB.” far beyond the library’s bookshelves. She runs a monthly book club at the Pace Center for Girls, an alternative school for teenage girls in Palm Beach County. She has also coordinated author visits at a local juvenile detention center. “We’re trying to bring the library to teens who can’t make it to the library,” she says. “It’s one of the best parts of the job.” Meridien is on a mission to provide all teenagers with equal access to books—especially those that feature characters they can readily relate to. “Most of my teens come from our community and they don’t necessarily have a lot of books [with characters who] look like them,” she says. “I always want to make sure I’m buying the best books for them.”
Sophie Meridien has been recognized for her many accomplishments related to the library and books.
CBS12 NEWS PHOTOGRAPHER CHRIS POLLOCK
By Sam Kerrigan
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She’s writing the best books for them, too: Meridien’s debut novel, The Witchery, will be released in late July. “In the fantasy realm, for me growing up, I couldn’t find a lot of magical heroines who looked like me. That’s part of the reason I wrote this book.” Meridien hopes the world of fantasy The Witchery offers can be an enjoyable escape for teenagers from all corners of the community. And when they step back into the Manl WATCH SAM’S “HOMETOWN del Public Library, she’ll be there HEROES” SEGMENT MONDAY to help them continue writing their MORNINGS ON CBS12 NEWS own stories. «
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