Kim Turner (center, photo) is new to Lansing but not to the Leavenworth area. Kim and her husband retired from the military after serving 26 years, four of those on Fort Leavenworth.

While her husband was in the service, Kim was privileged to have led many large volunteer organizations in both the civilian and military communities. Routinely starting with nothing, the volunteers and Kim worked to lay the foundation for future command teams to walk into structures in place and take care of soldiers and their families.

Most of her professional career has been spent working with exceptional children of all ages. In Kim's last job her formal title was Assistive Technology Manager. As the AT Manager, it was her responsibility to take inventory (computers, software, augmentative communication devices, adapted equipment, toys and books) and organize them into a "library" for the school system and staff to use. This library served 75 schools very successfully. Kim likes working with the patrons and improving the solid foundation that has been established at the Lansing Community Library over the last ten years.

Gretchen Willcott (left, photo) grew up in the Lansing/Leavenworth area and graduated from Lansing High School in 2004. She went to Kansas State University where she majored in Family Studies and Human Services.

Gretchen loves being the first Childrens Librarian for the city of Lansing. Story Time is her favorite part of the job. You can find Gretchen dancing, singing, playing and having a lot of fun during Story Time. She enjoys being a kid again and is always amazed at what children will come up with next.

When Gretchen is not at the Library, you can find her reading, playing sports or spending time with her family. She recently adopted two puppies and loves seeing what mischief they can get into. Gretchen also has wedding bells in her future in the summer of 2010.

James Pinick is a lifelong Kansan and has lived in Leavenworth County (Basehor) since 1992. He has an Associate Degree in Applied Science in Audio Engineering and an Associate Degree in General Studies with an emphasis in Music Technology from Kansas City Kansas Community College. James also has a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas.

In his professional career, James has worked as a Web Editor for KTKA-49 ABC News in Topeka, the Multimedia Newsroom Coordinator for the Journalism Department at KU and currently works with MLB.com during baseball season.

James interacts with the Lansing community through the Library's Circulation Desk and helps patrons find what they are looking for, as well as continuing to build a solid foundation at the Library.

James loves to read, watch movies and sporting events and play video games in his spare time. Some of his favorite authors are James Rollins, Rick Riordan and J.K. Rowling. Stop by the Library and talk books, sports or movies with James.