This is the fourth in a ten part series that is running exclusively on Dennews.com, recognizing the women that make Coles County a better place to live and work.

Sheryl Snyder spends her days surrounded by books as executive director for the Charleston Carnegie Public Library.

Snyder fell into the library world. She graduated from college with a degree in communication and education. Snyder worked at a school library as well as the public library to make ends meet during graduate school.

“I found at the library I encountered media and information in many more forms other than the printed word,” said Snyder.

After her experience working at the public library, Snyder decided to go to library school and receive a media specialists certificate.

“As an information professional I communicate in a hundred different ways than I ever thought possible,” said Snyder.

Snyder job as library executive director means she encourages communication through the entire community.

“A library’s presence says something positive about the citizens and leaders,” said Snyder. “In our community where 20 percent of families live at or below the poverty line, the library provides equal access and opportunity to all.”

Equal access and opportunity to all means promoting literacy and self-enrichment for everyone, said Snyder. Not just those who can afford books.

“A good library director knows how to serve her community,” said Lynn Schmit, director of the Mahomet public Library. ” Sheryl has been excelling at that for as long as I’ve known her.”

A major part of Snyder’s tenure was getting the library expansion plan passed by voters in Charleston.

“I admire Sheryl for taking on a library building project, a major effort that a lesser person might have left for the next director,” said Schmit. “The building referendum was a resounding success and as a result generations of Charleston residents will benefit educationally, economically and socially.”

Snyder’s legacy at the library is more than just the upcoming 22,00 square foot addition. It’s more than just working to expand the children’s center, creating a new meeting room and expanding the book collection.

Snyder’s legacy can be seen every time anyone takes a book from the library and educates themselves.

“My hope is that the future Charleston community will enjoy the same liberties that allowed us to pursue our hopes and dreams today and I think the library is a very important part of those liberties,” said Snyder.

“Other librarians look to Sheryl for advice and support because they appreciate her fairness, common sense, generous spirit and her wonderful sense of humor,” said Schmit. “Speaking from the world of libraries, I can tell you that Sheryl Snyder truly is a woman of influence.”