A PERFECT FIT: Tina Thomas and Middleburg Library

A PERFECT FIT: Tina Thomas and Middleburg Library

By Leonard Shapiro

Tina Thomas’s official title at the Middleburg Library is “library assistant,” but branch manager Lilly Newton knows full well that’s the very least of it.

“Truth is, she could pretty much run this place on her own,” Newton said recently. “She can do it all.”

Thomas will celebrate 20 years of service at the Middleburg branch this summer. And anyone who’s ever had the pleasure of dealing with her also knows there is good reason to celebrate a woman who has rarely met a question about a book, a magazine, a computer, a scanner or a copying machine she couldn’t answer almost immediately.

Middleburg Librarian Tina Thomas

Photo by Leonard Shapiro

It’s problem solved, and always with a warm smile.

Thomas is a native of Purcellville and a graduate of Loudoun Valley High School who said, “I’ve always loved books, so let’s go to the library.” She began with the Loudoun County system 27 years ago, spending the first 6 1/2 years at the Purcellville branch as a library page.

A friend was working at the Middleburg Library and suggested she ought to apply for an opening there.

“I thought it would be fun to work with her,” Thomas said. “But then she switched over to Purcellville and I came here to Middleburg as a library aid. But it all worked out.”

And all for the good.

“I was considered head of circulation but there were so many duties,” she said, adding that her job description now also involves “handling the money, purchasing, curating the magazines, helping oversee the collection inventory and helping with the computers. I’m the back-up for story time, too. Here, we all do a little bit of everything.”

Much of it also involves dealing with the public, young and old. And asked what she enjoys most about the Middleburg Library, Thomas didn’t hesitate.

“I’d say the people. I have met some of the kindest, smartest, funniest people from all walks of life. You look forward to seeing their faces when they walk through the front door. And most people are comfortable with sharing things with you. They feel comfortable here and welcome here, as if it’s a second home.”

A number of regulars spend hours at a time in the library taking advantage of its comfy, quiet work space. They’ll tap into the library’s computers or their own laptops for the free and fast wi-fi. Others will grab a book or a newspaper or a magazine. Students do plenty of homework there, and the children’s section always draws an enthusiastic gaggle of more than occasional boy and girly gigglers, as well.

Thomas and her colleagues are always there to help. She remains a voracious reader, including plenty of book reviews, and often is asked to offer her own recommendations “which I love to do.”

“I like non-fiction, but thrillers and romantic stuff, too,” she said when asked about her own personal literary preferences. “I like Maya Angelou, Lucy Montgomery and her Anne of Green Gables; Steve Berry, Daniel Silva. Lots of others, too.”

When Sheila Whetzel decided to retire after a long career as branch manager in Middleburg last year, some thought Thomas might also like to think about replacing her.

No thank you.

“I had been a supervisor before,” she said. “That’s just not for me. I’m very happy where I am, very content with what I’m doing.”

Clearly comforting words for her legion of library admirers.