Tri-County News

In her words: Jacki Stockinger on memories growing up with libraries and books


Great River Regional Library will begin moving into the new library building the week of Nov. 30, and on Dec. 7, the new Kimball Public Library will open its doors (see library opening article on page 6 for more information). As the construction phase of the project draws to a close, we remember Lorraine Gregory, Kimball’s former librarian and the foundational donor to this project. We reached out to Lorraine’s granddaughter Jacki Stockinger to ask her a few questions about her grandmother.

Lorraine Gregory surrounded by her grandchildren who grew up next door to their grandmother in Pearl Lake. From left are Jacki, a project manager at Microbiologics in St. Cloud, lives near Cold Spring with boyfriend Clint and their dog and two cats; Ben, owner of Scenic Specialties in St. Joseph and a farmer, lives in the area with his wife Roni and their son; and Kate, a palliative care nurse practitioner for Allina Health System, lives in Elk River with her husband Kyle and their three children. Submitted photo.

How have libraries played an interesting part of your life?

Having a librarian for a grandma meant that libraries and reading have always been a central part of my life. I was a library aide in high school, served on the Board of the St. Cloud Friends of the Library several years back, and even thought about getting a degree in Library Science to pursue it as a career.

I read voraciously and, before streaming music was a thing, I relied heavily on CDs to check out new music. I can’t even imagine the many thousands of dollars I’ve saved borrowing from the library instead of buying all these materials.

When did you first learn of the new Kimball library?

Grandma appealed for better library space for years and was so delighted it’s finally happening. The groundbreaking was an amazing day; she was so happy to see familiar faces and realize how many people know and remember her fondly.

What is a memory you have of your grandmother Lorraine Gregory as a librarian and as a reader?

Grandma would sometimes bring me along when she needed to stop at the St. Cloud Library for work. She had a key to a back door that led to the “behind the scenes” workings of the library. I remember thinking the building seemed like a creepy castle and that she must be important to be allowed back there.

Grandma never stopped being a librarian. She kept a “library” in her screen porch as long as I can remember, and friends would stop in to visit and grab a book. After retiring, she volunteered in the library at Holy Cross School and continued to do so up until just a few years before her death. Once she had great-grandchildren, she helped build their personal libraries and read with them any time she visited.

What are you most excited to see when the new library opens on Dec. 7? What do you think your grandmother would think?

Libraries broaden horizons and introduce new ways of thinking; I hope to see space for innovative programs and offerings in the changing world. Grandma would want to see a focus on the kids, to foster enthusiasm for libraries and learning with dedicated space and programming.

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