Amy Hopkins, Director
​Email: [email protected]
Hello, I’ve been with the library since 2003.  I was promoted to the position of Library Director in April of 2018 after almost 15 years as the Reference/Non-fiction librarian.  I am married (since 1991) and have a daughter who graduated from Centralia High in 2010.  I have two grandkids, a boy & a girl, 3 crazy dogs (Hank, Dolly & Piper), 8 chickens, & I love to garden and read... obviously!  One of my favorite websites is Goodreads.com, click this link to see what I’m reading!

Caitlin J.J. Spears, Adult Services Librarian
Email: [email protected] 
Hello! My name is Cait and I started working at the library in July 2014 as a Student Librarian, in September 2017 I became the Youth Services Librarian, and then in December 2021 I became the Adult Fiction Librarian. I order the adult fiction, e-books, and e-audiobooks. I also lead the Adult Crafts, First Fridays, and Quartly Book Club. I have been interested in being a librarian since I was given the opportunity to work as a library cadet at CHS for Terri Brunner. I love helping people and watching Mrs. Brunner showed me that being a librarian is a great way to do that. I enjoyed my time as the Youth Services Librarian working with children/young adults and helping them nurture their love for reading. I still love working with children, but I decided it was time to move on to other projects and work with adults now. 
​I graduated from Centralia High School in 2010 and since then I have received my Associates of Arts degree from Moberly Area Community College and my Bachelors Degree from Columbia College. I live with my husband (Tyler), son (Hendrix), our three dogs (Zoey, Coco, & Bear) & our two bearded dragons (Chilli & Bingo).  My favorite genre
to read is romantic fantasy.!

​Sadiqa Saleh, Adult Non-fiction / Reference Librarian
Email: [email protected]

Hello, I’ve been working at this library since August 2015 as Circulation Staff and, as of August 2019, the Reference and Adult Nonfiction Librarian.  I’m also in charge of the Interlibrary Loan orders if you're looking for something we don’t currently have on our shelves. I got my dual Bachelor degrees in Natural Resources: Fisheries and Wildlife and Bachelor of Arts: English from Mizzou in 2017.  I love to read a wide range of books and watch a wide range of movies. I also love animals as evidence of my horse (Surrab,) five sheep (Copper, Penny, Baby, Midnight, and Pine Needle,) two dogs (Tucker and Sarah,) and two cats (Luna and Jafar). If you ever need help with anything I’ll always try my best to help. Come on by and say hi. I like hearing people’s stories and would love to hear your's at any time.

Samantha Gash, Youth Services Librarian 
Email: [email protected]
Hello, my name is Samantha, feel free to call me Sam. I go by both. I started working at the library in 2017 as Circulation Staff. As of 2021, I am the Youth Services Librarian. I lead several programs such as Lego Club, Anime Club, Pokemon Club, Minecraft Club, Adult Dungeons and Dragons Club, as well as order books for both the children and teen area.  One of my favorite parts of working at Centralia Public Library is getting to work with the community to bring reading and fun activities to our youth patrons.
I have lived in Centralia my whole life and graduated from CHS (Go Panthers!) in 2016. I married my husband, Dakota,  in 2019. We have two kids, Marceline and Milo, as well as our dog Kisses. Some of my favorite books right now are The Sad Ghost Club by Lize Meddings and Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer.  

Sarah McLean, Social Media Coordinator
Hello!
My name is Sarah McLean. I moved to Centralia in 2022 and have been working at the Centralia Public Library since October 2023.I have experience in a little bit of everything: coaching youth soccer, event work, volunteer work, food service, customer service, and the wine industry. My favorite work experience has always been working in libraries, from public schools to botanical libraries. I have an  A.S. Degree in Library Science and Technology with a certificate/focus in Research. I am very happy to be working here and helping patrons find books.
I enjoy a variety of hobbies including but not limited to gardening, practicing my banjo, anything art related, reading and walking. My favorite part about Centralia besides the library, is how nice and welcoming everyone has been and the Chance Gardens. I enjoy reading classics, cozy mysteries (the kind of stories where the town has a murder every week yet everyone stays for the small town baker who somehow makes a living off of cookies and unpaid detective work) and poetry.
P.S: I love frogs and Pokémon. ​

Corinne Beadle, Story Time Teacher
​Hello. My name is Corinne. My family and I moved to Centralia approx. 4 years ago from out of state. I
live here with my husband, Brian, my two daughters, Madison and Mackenzie, and our two dogs, Bella
and Jax. We have quickly fallen in love with this small town and just how welcoming everyone has been.
I am currently a member of the Friends of the Library (FOL) and my girls and I have enjoyed attending
the library’s story time since we moved here. I will now be conducting the story time for the 0- 5yr. olds.
I couldn’t be more excited to lead the kids in songs, crafts, and stories. I’m excited to be a part of the
children’s early experiences with the library, stories, and books.

Circulation Staff

​Chloe Stickney
Hello! My name is Chloe Stickney. I have lived in Centralia for my whole life and graduated from Centralia High School in 2020. I started working here at the library in August 2021. I am currently attending MACC. I have a little brother who is a few years younger than me. I have three cats whose names are Samson, Peaches, and Loki. I enjoy reading YA fiction, graphic novels, and manga. Other hobbies of mine include watching TV shows, movies, and anime. I also enjoy playing video games on my Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

Wendi Hargis
Hi, my name is Wendi Hargis, I grew up in Centralia only a few blocks from the Library so I was always there. I attended multiple summer reading programs and developed my love of books there. I am the student librarian until I go off to college. I enjoy reading, writing, and creating. My favorite books are fantasy/mystery, either mixed or on their own, kind of like fries and ice cream.​