For the last dozen years, Rebekah Lynam has been a Branch Manager in the Pioneer Library System (PLS).

She served three years as the Branch Manager at Norman West and for the past nine years has been the captain of the ship at the Purcell Branch.

PLS has 12 branches in 10 communities and the search is on to fill her shoes at Purcell.

Meanwhile, as of September 1, Lynam she will be assuming a new position as the manager of the marketing department for PLS, officing in the PLS administration building in Norman.

Lynam and her husband, Matt, live in Lexington. He teaches math at East Central University in Ada.

A graduate of Prague High School, Lynam earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Oklahoma in journalism and mass communication. After she earned her master’s degree in journalism from OU, she began working full time at Pioneer Library.

Lynam, who is serving this year as Purcell Rotary Club President, reports she will still be around.

“I’ll be in Rotary for at least two years to serve out my year as president and then past president, Lynam said. “And, hopefully longer.”

The favorite part of her job is the interaction with citizens.

“I love just getting to see our community and interact,” Lynam said. “Whether it’s with the chamber of commerce or the kids out my window at the library facility here, I love how the library has an impact on our neighbors.”

A challenge for her is figuring out how to best serve the needs of the community.

“It’s figuring out how we can be a good partner with the community and figuring out the needs that exist,” she said.

“It’s figuring out what needs are for small businesses,” she continued. “It can be challenging but at the same time rewarding.”

As the search continues to find her replacement at Purcell, she reports being excited for her new position.

“They are searching for the best possible candidate and are hopeful there won’t be too much of a gap between me leaving and the replacement in place,” she said.

“I have loved my time working in Purcell and am thrilled that I will still be around,” Lynam said. “This is a special community and a special place that welcomed me with open arms.”

A reception to wish her well on her next step with Pioneer was scheduled be held from 10 a.m. to 12  noon at the library meeting room August 27.