Written by Melissa Stan
“The wonderful thing about being a library volunteer is that I get to witness and be part of special moments every week.”
For Chris Sadun, those moments often begin at storytime.
As a longtime volunteer at Johnson County Library, Chris is often the first friendly face families see when they walk through the door. Some are regulars she’s come to know well. Others are visiting the Library for the very first time. Each week, she welcomes them in, invites them to join, and watches something meaningful begin to grow.
“We think of storytime as children’s programming,” Chris says, “but in reality it is community programming.”
From the storytime room, she sees friendships forming between parents and caregivers. She hands out 6 by 6 early literacy materials to families eager to support their children’s love of reading. She notices multi-generational families attending together. She even chats with passersby who pause to reminisce about bringing their own children to the Library years ago.
“I see firsthand how storytime is a program that truly serves the entire community.”
That sense of connection is what keeps Chris coming back. And it’s what makes the Library such a powerful place.
“The Library is one of the few free public spaces that serves all age groups, all abilities, and all backgrounds,” she says. “We think of it as a place where people mix with books, but more uniquely, it is a place where people mix with other people.”
Chris’s love of libraries stretches back decades. As a child in a small town in northern New York, she biked to the Library to explore the stacks and imagine a wider world. As a young professional, the Library provided endless access to books, music, and movies. As a mother, storytime offered something just as important as reading skills: connection.
“It was a sanity saver,” she says. “It helped me make friends and build community.”
Today, Chris gives back through her time. Others give through financial support. Both are essential.
Volunteers help create the welcoming, human moments that make the Library feel accessible and inviting. Donations add value to everything happening inside the Library, expanding opportunities, deepening learning experiences, and ensuring programs can continue to respond to community needs with care.
“I love getting to be an active part of keeping our Library, and ultimately, our entire community, strong,” Chris says.
This spring, the choice to give back can take many forms. You can give your time. You can give through a donation. You can do both. Each act of generosity helps grow the moments Chris witnesses every week and ensures the Library continues to be a place where everyone belongs.
When people choose to give, a little time and a little generosity can grow into a lot of good.