After a couple of years away from the community, working and going to school, former Escalon library assistant Amanda Clifford is back … and this time, she’s in charge.

Now the Escalon Librarian, Clifford said she couldn’t be happier, as she loved her time spent in Escalon and is eager for the challenge of serving the community as its librarian fulltime.

“This is my dream job,” she admitted.

While Clifford pursued her degree, she also served as a librarian-in-training at the new Mountain House Library, helping to set up that branch.

“I had been here a long time as the assistant, since 2016 fulltime and did subbing before then,” Clifford explained. “Last year I got my Masters in Library Science from San Jose State University.”

When the opportunity arose to return to Escalon as the librarian, it was just the chance she was waiting for.

“It is so exciting,” admitted Clifford. “The first day I walked in, I said ‘I’m home’,” she explained. “It’s great and I am really ready to get started.”

She took over the librarian position at the beginning of May and has already begun leading the storytime sessions on Thursdays as well as gearing up for the upcoming Summer Reading Program.

This past Thursday, May 12, was celebrated with all things butterfly, from stories to crafts to setting some butterflies free, having raised them in a special container.

“I love teaching; I come from a family of teachers” Clifford added. “But I wanted to help and connect with all ages …whether it is through preschool storytime or helping senior citizens with tech questions.”

After a series of stories, brief breaks for exercises such as stretching and jumping, the youngsters attending storytime ventured outside with Clifford and their adult chaperones to help set the butterflies free. Some flew out willingly; others had to be coaxed from the familiar ‘Butterfly Garden’ that had served as their home.

Then it was back inside for some coloring and crafts; that part of the program coordinated by library assistant Jodi Crawford.

The Summer Reading Club will begin June 1 and run through July 31, with crafts, reading challenges, guest performers, art classes, science experiments, prizes and more.

Look for full details on the ‘Oceans of Possibilities’ summer reading program in the May 25 issue of The Times.