Cochran To Represent Atoka on SOLS Board
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The Southern Oklahoma Library System (SOLS) welcomes Jan Cochran as a new Board member to its Board of Trustees. Cochran represents the city of Atoka.
Members of the SOLS Board of Trustees are appointed by the county commissioners and the city council of cities that have a library. As the governing board for the system, they attend scheduled meetings and serve as ambassadors for the library.
Representing the city of Atoka is Jan Cochran. Cochran is an Atoka native and has spent much of her professional life working in banking, retail, and non-profit industries. She has always been a strong supporter of libraries and has fond childhood memories of the Atoka County Library.
“I grew up using the Atoka County Library and I am familiar with the programs they offer. I know how important the local library is to the community. It provides invaluable resources,” said Cochran.
“Every summer, I would spend my entire break reading books. The local librarian, Alice Withrow, would help me and give me recommendations. I would check out a stack of books and return them in two weeks for more.”
Reading is something that is a lifelong passion for Cochran. Her love for books has been steadfast since she was a child.
“My favorite book of all time is “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee,” said Cochran. “In fact, I used to check it out from the local library and read it every summer.
“There is something about the characters and the town of Maycomb, Alabama that feels so very close to the small town I grew up in. I would spend every summer with Scout and Jem. Even though I had read it so many times, I always learned something new with each reading.”
Cochran hopes that she can continue to support and encourage others to utilize all the resources that a library has to offer while serving on the SOLS Board of Trustees.
“Reading is one of the most important foundations in any education. The library is so important, because it gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy books, even if they might not be able to access books on their own. It can open up the world for them.
“Many in our community struggle with the ability to access the internet. The library offers them access to technology they so desperately need. I hope that by serving on this board, I can pay back just a small portion of the enjoyment, learning and entertainment I received growing up. The library was always one of my favorite places.”
