Joyce Manuel’s work at the Elizabethton/Carter County Public will never go unnoticed.

From her time as an employee to now working as a volunteer, Manuel has never strayed from her mission of giving back to the library by utilizing her love of the arts. Using her love of the arts and passion for children’s programs at the facility, Manuel was able to unveil a special wall display at the children’s area of the library Tuesday afternoon. The display features a globe with children of different ages and races beside each other.

Providing the display is important according to the Watauga Valley Art League member. Since her time working with the library, she acknowledged one of the joys was working with children and helping them pursue their joys in life with the different programs offered.

“When I worked here, I worked a lot with Ashlee (Williams) in the children’s programs,” Manuel said. “Now I just volunteer. I’m here most Wednesdays for a few hours and do what I can to help. The library has grown a lot since I first worked here. It really has grown into a library that has a wider community outreach. Ashlee does a tremendous job with the children’s program and helps the kids really develop their love of different things.”

An artistic piece only seems fitting, Williams said, with this week’s children’s program delving into paints.

“Joyce is amazing,” Williams said. “She worked here before and even after retirement, she still stops by to volunteer. She loves working with the children and has the same kind of vision I do for kids and how to foster their love of reading and learning.”

When asked about future pieces, Manuel was quick to crack a smile and start listing possible ideas.

“We’re going to let her rest for a bit before another display,” Williams said with a chuckle.

The passion shared by Manuel of the arts is an attitude the library is hoping to give to children who come through the facility.

“We always want to encourage kids to be creative and find the things they love to do, whether that be sports, reading, drawing or painting … we try to incorporate it for our children’s programs,” Williams said. “We want to work with our community partners and bring people and programs in to give children something fun and enjoyable.”