Even in small towns, getting to know your neighbors can be difficult. This is why we have created a new series, Meet your Neighbor, to help you get to know some of the faces around the your community.

April Hughes is the current marketing coordinator of the Cass District Library, a position she has been in for more than seven years. Though she lives in Niles, Hughes is still active in the Edwardsburg and Cassopolis communities as much of her job requires her to spend time in those areas.

As marketing coordinator, what does your day to day look like?

I work with the youth services team. I’m always looking ahead and planning programs for different age groups and for families. We are going to have a meeting this month to start planning our fall programming and story times. Once we develop a plan for what programs we want to do, we flush out the details for that, and I have to put together marketing like social media and flyers and sending out press releases.

What is your favorite part of the job?

I love the variety and being able to work with the kids and families. I love coming up with new program ideas. It’s a lot of fun; there’s always something fresh and interesting to do.

What is like living in Niles, but working in so many different Cass County communities?

It’s really fun. You get a broader sense of community and get to see how agencies and different groups work together. You get to meet other people and try to share resources and services and get the word out about how to get those things to the community.

How are you involved in the community outside of your job?

I volunteer with the NIles Four Flags Pathfinder Club, which is a youth group that is sponsored by a local church. I’m the director of that youth group.

What is one thing you would want people to know about you?

I want people to develop a love of reading and curiosity. I love that and like to encourage that in other people. I think coming to the library is a great place to do that; it’s a wonderful resource in the community.