The photograph is proudly displayed at the front counter of the Yazoo City High School library. Under the title of Employee of the Month, is a photograph of Willie Maples Jr. with a contagious smile and a helping spirit shining through his picture.
“It says Employee of the Month, but Willie is Employee of the Month every month,” said school librarian Katherine Juchheim, with a smile.
Maples has served as the local high school’s librarian assistant for the past 25 years. It is a role he takes seriously with pride considering he once was a student among those same hallways.
“I went to school here, and I started helping out in the library when I was here as a student during my ninth-grade year,” Maples, 46, said. “There was a lady named Mrs. Hopson, who was the librarian at the time. She came here in 1992, but I met her back at middle school. I helped her out over there. When she came to the high school, she wanted me to help her out again.”
Maples found in his place at the library, volunteering to help in any way that he could. As an adult, he returned to offer his assistance again. For over two decades, he arrives at work every day, eager to help the next generation of students.
“The main thing I do now is make copies,” he said. “If somebody comes in looking for Mrs. Juchheim, I take messages to give to her. I help in any way I can.”
Working in the library is special for Maples since he himself was once a student at the same high school.
“I just enjoy helping people, especially since I went to school here,” Maples said. “I enjoy helping the kids. And I was born and raised in Yazoo, which makes it even more special. I really enjoy this job, and I have loved being here for the past 25 years.”
Maples said he even finds himself remaining after his hours are complete each day.
“I stay longer to help it because I enjoy it so much,” he said.
Juchheim said Maples is “delightful,” and he is more than just an assistant. She said he is more like a librarian himself.
“He is a wealth of knowledge,” she said. “The way he shares information on the history of this school, the building and the people here is incredible.”
When he is not at the library, Maples said he enjoys watching television.
“My favorite show is Steve Harvey,” he said, with a smile.
But for Maples, it is more than just a job. He likes the relationships he has with the students and offers them daily encouragement on the importance of an education.
“I always tell them to stay in school and get an education,” he said. “Times can be hard, and jobs are hard to come by if you don’t have an education.”
As Maples’ interview with The Herald ended with a photograph, a student asked if he could be in the photograph with Maples, placing his arm around his shoulders.
“These kids love me,” Maples said, with a smile.
“We got your back,” the student replied. “We love you too.”
