Our people: Librarian makes 'adulting' fun

Feb. 10—You may have seen Sara Williford at Saturday's 72nd Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast in Clovis.

She was making pancakes.

"I have a great time making them. We always have fun," Williford said.

Helping on Kiwanis Pancake Day is just one of the things Williford does in the community.

Williford on Wednesday talked about her life.

Q: What brought you to Clovis?

A: My parents.

My mother is a Clovis girl. My father was in the Air Force.

We've been here most of my life but not all of it.

I was born in England in the RAF Lakenheath area.

We left when my dad was transferred to Carswell AFB near Fort Worth.

We came back to Clovis when I was 15.

In my mom's old car there's a divot where I punched the roof because I didn't want to move to Clovis after I'd lived in Fort Worth.

Q: Tell us about your family.

A: My mom is here. By me watching her she taught me how to be an involved citizen.

My husband Kevin has put up with me now for six years.

We've known each other for 17 years.

We worked together back in the beginning.

He told me he liked me being his boss so much he made it official.

My one blood sibling, my sister, is with her husband who's in the Army.

They live in Oklahoma.

She is studying massage therapy in Costa Rica.

My dad lives in Brownwood, Texas.

Q: What did you want to be when you grew up?

A: What didn't I want to be?

I wanted to be a teacher, a scientist, a professional singer.

I started college at Eastern New Mexico University intending to earn a doctorate in psychology and I came out a professional student.

I have a bachelor's degree in psychology, a bachelor's degree in religion and a minor in fine art.

Q: What is your job at Clovis-Carver Public Library?

A: I am an adult services librarian coordinator.

I make "adulting" fun.

By the way I am looking for people who are passionate about something they do and we may look into having a program about it.

Come talk nerdy to me.

Q: Did you find your career or did your career find you?

A: I partnered with the former coordinator during an international table top game day.

I also attended the book club here.

Q: What's the worst smell?

A: Either the gas from my grandmother's dog or chicken and dumplings.

I hate the smell of chicken, chicken broth, just chicken.

In my family everybody loves chicken and dumplings.

But if I came home and Mom was making chicken and dumplings, I just turned around and went somewhere else.

Q: Who inspires you?

A: My mom.

I have a memory of seeing my mother's hands, thinking they were so beautiful, but also appreciating the work she did with those hands.

TV host Mike Rowe also inspires me.

He has a respect for the common working job, all the little dirty things that he says, "Keeps the civilized world civilized."

Q: Do you drink milk straight out of the carton while you're standing in front of the fridge?

A: Absolutely.

It's my milk, I bought it.

I mean if Kevin wants some we'd probably kiss so he already has my cooties.

Q: You're in Kiwanis, the Community Choir and other activities. What inspires you to do that?

A: I like it, those are things I'm nerdy about.

I think people should have more civic involvement. It builds that sense of community.

A popular topic around Clovis these days is about community.

But we don't do things together any more like we used to.

Q: What's the best burger?

A: I am just a classic cheeseburger girl: Lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard.

Q: What's your favorite dish?

A: In my purse there is a set of dice to help me decide either where I'm going to eat or what I'm going to have.

For instance, last night I rolled a five but I chose six off the menu, an avocado grilled chicken sandwich.

Q: Where's your favorite place to vacation?

A: What's a vacation?

We like to cruise now.

When I was young I was in Clovis regularly so I never really took a vacation.

I loved Brazil.

I loved South Korea.

My soul home is my family's cemetery near Comanche, Texas, where I'm going to end up.

It's in the middle of nowhere.

Q: What movie makes you cry?

A: I don't cry at movies.

I don't physically cry but I am emotionally moved.

Q: What's your favorite book?

A: You can't ask a library person that question.