By Isabella Zarate
If you have ever visited the Mahomet Public Library, you are likely to have run into Tammy Caputo. Caputo has been with the library for a total of 17 years, though her time has been broken up into two shifts.
In the 90s, Caputo joined the team as a Children’s Program Coordinator. After leaving, she ultimately returned in 2011 as a Library Assistant and since 2020 has been promoted to Circulation Manager.
Working at the library wasn’t always in the books for Caputo. Instead, she had a degree as a systems analyst and computer programmer. Then, she found herself working for companies such as the Union Pacific Railroad and Archer Daniels Midland. After having kids, Caputo took some time off to raise her children. It wasn’t until her kids started school that she joined the library.
“I needed to do something,” Caputo shared. “When I saw this position for the Children’s Program Coordinator come up, I thought ‘hmm maybe that’s something I’ll try.’ And the rest is history.”
Unlike her previous jobs, Caputo instantly fell in love with the library. “It’s the absolute best job in the world. . . at least in my opinion,” she joked.
As of recently, Caputo has been recognized as the Library Staffer of the Year.
“To be honest, I was really surprised at first,” Caputo explained. “There are so many people that I work with that could have been voted as the Staffer of the Year. They’re just fantastic people.”
Nonetheless, the achievement went to Caputo. “I’m quite honored,” she exclaimed. “It’s my peers that gave me this honor.”
It’s no wonder that Caputo was awarded this achievement, being that she wears so many hats within the library.
“I serve on the library leadership team. I develop staff procedures. I train new employees. I do all the scheduling. I serve as a liaison between the Illinois Heartland Library system and the Mahomet library.” She went on, “I catalog. I do all the ordering and processing.”
“And anything else that needs to be done,” she joked.
In terms of recognition, Caputo has a certificate with her name on it in the staff lounge. She was also gifted an insulated water bottle for her dedication. Yet, despite her newly acclaimed honor, Caputo doesn’t feel any different.
“We are all still working hard as always, and I don’t feel special, but for a moment it really humbled me,” she shared.
This recognition has encouraged Caputo to keep giving it her all and doing what she’s doing. “It did give me a boost for a while and a little bit of energy,” she admitted. “But I think I’m on the right track and that’s kind of what it tells me.”
Caputo’s passion for the library is something that she strives to pass onto others.
“Today’s library is not just about books, it’s so beyond books,” she explained. “There is a world that awaits people who come into our library.”
