Meet The Team.
Our staff is the heart of the Phillips County Library. Get to know the friendly faces who are here to help you discover books, connect with resources, and feel at home in the library.
Shadey Whitfield
Library Director
Shadey oversees library operations, develops
engaging programs for all ages, and works closely
with staff to ensure the library continues to be a welcoming place for the community. She is
passionate about literacy, access to resources,
and creating innovative opportunities for
learning and connection.
Favorite genre: Adult fiction
Hobbies: Reading, cooking, baking, traveling, and spending time with her husband and two dogs
Fun fact: She is originally from New York City
and fluent in Spanish
Ask her about: Upcoming programming
at the library
“Libraries are the heart of a community — a place for everyone to learn, grow, and belong.”
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Jason Payne
Library Manager
Jason assists patrons, trains new hires,
helps develop new programs, and keeps the daily activities of the library running smoothly.
Favorite book: More Than a Game by Phil
Jackson
Fun fact: In his spare time, Jason makes music
Ask him about: Sports and food
Hobbies: Chess
“What you get by achieving your goals is not
as important as what you become by achieving
your goals.” – Zig Ziglar
Lisa Avance
Desk Clerk
Lisa assists patrons by checking books in and out,
as well as helping them with faxes, copies,
and computer use.
Favorite book: Mr. Mercedes by
Stephen King
Ask her about: New books that are coming out
this fall
Hobbies: Reading and social media
“Knowledge is power.”
Mechell Laureles
Desk Clerk
Mechell assists patrons with checking in/out
books, obtaining library cards, and using the
computers.
Favorite genre: Adult fiction
Ask her about: Upcoming programs at the library
Hobbies: Walking and spending time with family
“Positive anything is better than
negative nothing.”
Desk Clerk
Mar’Shauna greets and helps customers in need.
Favorite genres: Drama, romance, nonfiction
Ask her about: Her favorite holiday
Hobbies: Spending time with her children, riding around, enjoying nature
Fun fact: She loves singing and fishing
Mar'Shauna Hill
Tucker Harland
Desk Clerk
Tucker checks out and processes books, assists patrons, and helps with library upkeep.
Favorite genre: Science fiction
Hobbies: Movies, TV shows, gaming, reading, piano
Fun fact: He can make a lizard face with his hands
Ask him about: Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul
Jaylen Reed
Desk Clerk
Jaylen helps patrons with check-in/out, answers library-related questions, and solves problems.
Favorite book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Hobbies: Baking sweets
Fun fact: 3-year bake-off champion
Ask him about: Kool-Aid pies
“Life is like a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re going to get.”