Margrett Kelley has a little comic strip posted in her work area of Muskogee Public Library. It’s her inspiration for the day.

“Plan ahead; it can save you some trouble.”

These words are with a little mouse wearing a helmet. Kelly thinks its humorous and words to live by.

Her actions have made her the winner of Muskogee Character Council’s January character trait of orderliness — arranging myself and my surroundings to achieve greater efficiency.

She laughed when she heard she was the winner who will be acknowledged by Muskogee City Council during a meeting.

“I try to do things right away,” Kelley said. “I can’t put them off. It drives me crazy. I know what’s going to happen. I’ll have to play catch up. Get stuff out of the way and then you are ready if something else comes up. That’s the basic principle I follow.”

Liz Hanley, children’s librarian, nominated Kelley for orderliness as part of the library’s Character First program. Hanley wrote: “If you’ve attended a program at Muskogee Public Library, then you’ve benefited from the organizational skills of Margrett Kelley, library assistant since 2001.

“Programs don’t just happen. It’s after Kelley has contacted speakers, gathered biographical information and located Web sites, read up on their accomplishments, written grants if funding is necessary, and planned publicity. She provides television, newspaper and radio stations with information on library activities in a timely manner.

“She also reserves the room, sets up, prepares refreshments for both the audience and speaker, greets the speaker on arrival, handles their needs for the event, and then cleans up. This is in addition to assisting both the staff and library director with other tasks and in writing minutes for staff meetings.”

Charolette Underwood, reference librarian, said Kelley is a very hard worker and someone to rely on. Kelley said she has worked other places but is always drawn back to libraries. She has worked at a high school library, a college library and at the University of Oklahoma Phillips Collection, a small private collection of Indian art.

After Kelley was honored at the library, she was presented a plaque and candy, and offered a special parking place, Underwood said.

Hanley called Kelley “one of the most organized persons I know.”

Kelley said that’s what she strives for.

“She has a place for everything,” Hanley said. “When you ask for something she can usually get you the information or make appropriate calls to get an answer. No matter what she’s doing, she will get it to you. And when she does, it will be with a smile. Sometimes she has several projects going on at once. Have no fear, she will ‘get ’er done’.”



Orderliness

January character trait is orderliness — arranging myself and my surroundings to achieve greater efficiency.

Five keys:

• Set priorities.

• Set standards.

• Get organized.

• Avoid clutter.

• Put away - right away.



What’s next

Character Council of Muskogee wants you to nominate a citizen of character. The winner will be acknowledged in the Phoenix and at a Muskogee City Council meeting.

February character trait is “forgiveness” — clearing the record of those who have wronged me and not holding a grudge.

Five keys:

• Let go of anger.

• Talk about it.

• Heal the wounds.

• Forget the wrong.

• Move on.

E-mail nominations to features@muskogeephoenix.com, fax to 684-2865, or mail to Features, P.O. Box 1968, Muskogee 74402 by Feb. 28. Include an explanation of how the nominee exhibits the trait in daily life. Include your name and phone number, along with the name and phone number of the nominee.