Amanda Doherty: Amanda became the Director of the library in January of 2018, though she started here in 2013. She moved to the area in 2008 while she was pregnant with her youngest child, Liam. Amanda and her family, husband Chris, daughter Maggie, and son Liam, live in the outskirts of Illiopolis.
Amanda grew up in Du Quoin in Southern Illinois. She loves the small-town atmosphere of Mt. Pulaski and has been involved in many committees and activities since moving to town.
Currently, Amanda is the Secretary on the Executive Board of the Association of Rural and Small Libraries, sits on the Membership Committee for ARSL, is a member of both the SHARE Finance and Policy Committee and Director’s University Committee, Chairs the Mt. Pulaski Holiday Meal Program, and is very involved in her children’s lives.
If you have questions about the library or are nervous about coming in, reach out and talk to Amanda. She wants the library to be a place everyone can enjoy.
Kate Davis: Kate is the library’s Assistant Director. Kate is a transplant to Central Illinois and moved from Du Quoin, Illinois, to attend college in 2013.
She is a member of city council and has worked at other businesses in town and has attended many events within the community.
She and her daughter, Isla, and are very thankful for small town life!
She hopes people in the community will take full advantage of all the services the library offers and is looking forward to seeing some new faces.
J’Lei Acosta Vazquez: J’Lei is 19 years old. She enjoys doing makeup and working with horses. She is currently fixing up an old truck that she purchased with her own money. She has three siblings and nine pets.
J’Lei would like to work within the criminal justice field and plans on attending college to accomplish her goals.
She likes books and loves working at the library and with her coworkers.
Jaden Scassiferro: Jaden grew up in Mt. Pulaski, and graduated from MPHS in 2018. She and her husband, Sebastian, have been involved in the community throughout the years.
Jaden has been a part of the library staff since July of 2023 and she absolutely loves it here! The library has become a huge and wonderful part of her life, almost like a second home. In 2025, Jaden joined the Association for Rural and Small Libraries, as well as their Grants and Scholarships Committee. In 2026, Jaden officially became the Youth Services Librarian.
Outside of the library, she spend her time submerged in her hobbies; including reading, crafting, and gaming. Jaden loves spending time traveling and exploring, as well as spending time with her family and friends (including her three semi-well behaved cats.)
Taylor Smith:Taylor and her family moved to Mount Pulaski in 2023 after spending most of her life in Du Quoin, Illinois.
Taylor is a recent graduate from the Mount Pulaski class of 2025 and she plans to attend college in the fall at Lincoln Land Community College. She wishes to earn her Master’s Degree in Library Science to become a library director herself one day.
In her free time, Taylor loves to craft, spend time outdoors, and have quality time with friends and family.