Moore

“Our town, our people” is a weekly Q&A with a local resident who is active in the community. Have a suggestion for someone we should talk to? Email T-R news editor Emily Barske at ebarske@timesrepublican.com. 

Prior to her retirement, Linda Moore worked outside of Marshalltown as a librarian at the middle school and high school level. After moving, 23 years ago, she started as a librarian at the college level and is now a part-time adjunct instructor of psychology for the Iowa Valley Community College District (IVCCD).

Q: What are you passionate about?

A: “I’m passionate about being a contributor to the community; whether in teaching or volunteering, I’m passionate about making each day one that fulfills a purpose.”

Q: What are the community activities that you participate in?

A: “The Morning Optimist Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Marshalltown library as a participant in conversation circles program. [The program] allows people who are native English speakers and people who are learning English … to come together and talk about children, families, culture … just to give them some practice in speaking English.”

Q: What do you enjoy about this community?

A: “What I have gotten to love about Marshalltown is how the people have embraced education and arts and culture. When I tell people about Marshalltown, those are the things that I brag about; how much people are willing to participate and donate time and money for [them], and I wouldn’t trade those features for any other community because they really enhance a person’s way of life. There are so many different educational opportunities, not just for children but for adults of any age. Recreation is available for ‘silent sports’ like walking and biking.”

Q: What changes do you feel need to be made in the community?

A: “I would like to see retail opportunities that would allow people to stay in town to shop and enjoy recreation. I realize that the trend nationwide, maybe worldwide, is for shopping to be done online, but I enjoy walking into a mall or stores … I feel like the more reasons that we have to stay in our community, the better it is for our economy and for community to come together to socialize.

Q: What advice would you pass on to young people?

A: “I just advise them to become acquainted with their community, and to get involved whenever they can because those connections that they make with organizations, and agencies, and churches will benefit them even if they don’t stay in the community. The connections that they make are good for references to perhaps get to the college that they want, or to the career that they want, or just a job that interests them. So, by making connections in the community, there’re doing themselves a favor, and most organizations appreciate the energy that the youth have to give to a project.”

Q: What is your favorite Marshalltown activity?

A: “The Live After Five events at the Orpheum.”