The library has always had a special place in Claire Poynter’s heart.
“I had real positive experiences with libraries when I was young. My parents were very supportive of the library.”
Poynter, then Claire Meeker, grew up in central Illinois, in Danville, whose claim to fame is being the hometown of Gene Hackman and Dick Van Dyke.
She and her brother would often take their “special library bags” and fill them up with tons of books. They were also part of a “Wee Wigglers,” story time program.
“I read a lot of adult books, a lot of classics, before my time; before I could really grasp them,” Poynter said of her childhood reading.
About a year and a half ago, Poynter came to Clarkston as the children’s librarian for the Independence Township Library.
At the library, Poynter is known as “Miss Claire” by all who know her.
“Or Miss Quaire, depending on how old they are and how well their speech patterns have developed. Just the other day, a mother said to me, ‘Don’t be offended if (my son) calls you Big Miss Claire. His baby sitter is Little Miss Claire.’ I think my ego can take it, but it is fragile,” Poynter joked.
The Waterford resident, who’ll turn 30 in less than two weeks, has been married for seven years to Al, a teacher.
“So we’re both willing to make no money to help kids,” she laughed. The two have no children, “yet.”
“I’ve always been interested in helping kids,” Poynter said, who worked in a clinic for handicapped children while in high school.
She wasn’t sure teaching was the appropriate route for her.
“I just wanted to figure out a way to be around books, to work with children and do something positive for the community.”
Poynter worked in book stores for awhile, but knew retail wasn’t what she wanted, either.
“I decided I wanted to go the library route.”
Poynter has a bachelor’s degree in English, a degree, she admits “requires a master’s degree for any kind of employment.” She received her graduate degree in library science from Wayne State University.
“A lot of people don’t realize you need a master’s degree to be a librarian.”
She began her career, through an internship while still a student, with the Bloomfield Township Library. After two years, she moved on to the Bacon Memorial District Library in Wyandotte. A year later she came to Clarkston, and is happy to be working closer to home now.
She’s enjoying getting to know the local children, too. Often, after she learns the interests of a child, when they come in to the library she’ll find books she knows they’ll be excited to read.
“I love seeing kids discover books and respond to books.” She especially enjoys watching children, who are too young to read yet, tell the story just by looking at the illustrations in that book.
“I love children’s literature. I think it’s fantastic. I think there are a lot of quality children’s books out there, that are better than you could find in the adult realm.”
Poynter has also been enjoying the parents in the community. “There’s some great moms and dads out there.”
As children’s librarian, Poynter is responsible for all the children’s programming.
Like she attended as a youngster, Poynter began Wee Wigglers at the Independence Township Library, with permission to use the same name from the librarian who read to her years ago.
The lap-sit (for adults and children), story time program is geared to children 18 to 36 months old. “It’s a chance to introduce children to books.” The sessions often include songs and games like Ring Around the Rose-y. “The kids would get on my case if I didn’t do Ring Around the Rose-y.”
Registration for Wee Wigglers this fall begins Sept. 22.
There’s also a preschool story time every Wednesday for three to five year olds, without an adult. This is held 52 weeks a year and is on a drop-in basis. No registration is required.
Poynter laughs about a child who regularly attends. “One little boy, who always sits in the front row, I don’t know why, but he rubs my shins when I’m reading. So I make sure I always shave my legs Wednesday mornings.”
On every first and second Thursdays at 7 p.m., Poynter holds Sleepy Time Stories. The whole family is encouraged to stay, and participants can wear their pajamas, and bring blankets and pillows. This also requires no registration.
Fall events, Poynter has scheduled, include professional storyteller Maureen Esther on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. for second graders on up. A Halloween party will be Saturday, Oct. 25, with tickets available on Oct. 13. A Holiday Party, is planned for Dec. 6, and tickets will go on sale Nov. 18.
Poynter is also responsible for the selection of items available at the library for check out including, not only books, but puppets, DVD’s, videos, CD-ROM’s, and more.
“I’m here all the time and I love to give recommendations,” she said. “I’m happy to steer people in different directions. It’s also my job.”
In a recent Letter to the Editor in The Clarkston News, Jillian Richey and Abby Wilson, both five-years-old, of Clarkston, said Miss Claire was an “awesome librarian. She knows everyone’s name and always takes a minute to stop and talk to us when we are in the library.”