I had heard about John Stelljes before I met him. Our children’s department knows him well, since he is a frequent visitor at our storytimes with his wife and young children. I won’t say that our staff have favorites, but who can resist a dad reading books on the floor with his kids?
I met John briefly for the first time in late December when we were just beginning to plan our recovery. That day, I had been meeting with Jim Corridan, the Deputy State Librarian for Indiana, and was giving him the grand tour of the library. As we walked, Jim praised our children’s department, saying that he had heard really good things about their work. We walked by John who was sitting with his one year old daughter on his lap (she was wearing his hat), and John reached out to Jim to offer his praise of our library and our children’s department. Little did I know from that first meeting that within a few short months, John would volunteer with the City Council as their appointed trustee. John Stelljes is a person who puts action behind his words.
I asked John to tell you a little about himself –
Tell us about your family and what brought you to Greenwood
My wife Angela and I have been married for seven years. We have two children, Jonah (5yrs) and Miriam (1yr). I have been a pastor in the Lutheran Church for six years. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre and Music and did some professional acting prior to deciding to become a pastor. After six years of Seminary training, I received a Master’s of Divinity from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon, WI. Prior to moving to Greenwood 3 years ago, I was a pastor for a church in Orlando, FL. I came to Greenwood at the request of my church denomination’s mission board to start a new Lutheran Church in Greenwood.
From the very first day we arrived in Greenwood, my wife and I fell in love with this community. We found it to be very friendly (what we now understand is “Hoosier hospitality”) and immediately began to find ways to become involved in our new community. I regularly coach soccer for the Greenwood Parks and Rec department. I am also a member of the City’s Economic Development Commission, and now a Library Board member! I also try to be active with the Greater Greenwood Chamber of Commerce. My wife is on the Executive Council for the Greater Greenwood Arts Council, which is doing some amazing things to help improve the quality of life here in Greenwood.
How did you become involved with the library?
Initially, I came to the library to use the internet until we were able to get it installed at our new home! Getting our library cards was one of the very first priorities for us when we came into town. Both my wife and I grew up spending lots of time at libraries and desire to instill the love of reading in our children. We began bringing our son to storytimes almost immediately. We also began attending other programs such as the Greenwood Aglow. Our church also initially booked the community rooms for Bible Studies until we found a ministry space of our own.
That being said, our “involvement” with the library has less to do with our stepping through the doors than it does with the staff that works within the libraries walls. The library staff, from the very start, has sought to get to know our family and to involve us in the programs the library offers. Through this personal connection, the library staff has made us feel as important to the library as the library is to us. So we get involved!
What library services do you use the most?
As a family, we come to the children’s area most often. Storytimes are huge for us–and LEGO storytime is HUGE for my son. We also like to use the play area and the computers.
I also use the adult fiction section quite a bit, and we enjoy checking out DVD’s.
What kinds of things do you like to read – both to your children and for yourself?
Of course, as a pastor, the Bible is my “go to” book. But I also like to read suspense thrillers such as Dean Koontz novels and anything that has to do with Christmas. My son like Star Wars and LEGO books. We also like Sandra Boynten books and Berenstain Bears books.
Why were you motivated to volunteer as a library trustee?
Because I love the library and want to see it continue to succeed as the valuable asset to our community it is. I take a very personal interest in our library. As the library serves my family, I want to serve the library.