For the last three years Jennifer Bartholmey has gotten paid to put books away, but every week she also gets to make them come alive.

Bartholmey has been involved with the Albert Lea Public Library in some form her whole life.

&uot;I love to read so I was always there. When I first found out you could volunteer I thought it sounded like fun,&uot; explained Bartholmey.

That was seven years ago. After two summers working as a junior page, she took a break from the library to work at Albert Lea Medical Center, then applied for a page job three years ago.

Her story is not a volunteer one until Bartholmey’s work in the Children’s Library is considered. For the last two years Jennifer has gone beyond her job description, working with the after-school program, acting as a face painter at children’s events, designing programming for &uot;Terrific Tuesdays,&uot; and last but not least developing &uot;Al the Alligator&uot; into more than just the library’s mascot.

Bartholmey and Tristan Larson designed and created an &uot;Al&uot; costume, and also share the wearing duties. &uot;Al&uot; works as part of the Terrific Tuesdays program, where children ages 5-12 play games and create craft projects.

&uot;The best part of all of this is getting to meet different people every day,&uot; said Bartholmey. &uot;I’ve gotten to know all these community members and it has been fun.&uot;

Bartholmey is a 2002 Albert Lea graduate and plans to attend Concordia College in the fall. Her parents are Bill and Mary Bartholmey of Albert Lea.

Contact the Albert Lea Public Library for volunteer opportunities at 377-4350.